Jonathan Joaquin, age 10, of West Warwick, R.I., for his question:

DO SQUIRRELS REMEMBER WHERE THEY STORED THEIR FOOD?

Squirrels are certainly hoarders, and they are famous for the hard work in the food storage department they put in during the warm fall months. Most squirrels do not hibernate so it is necessary for them to make sure ample provisions are stored away for the cold winter months. They build nests of twigs, leaves and bark in hollow trees.

Nuts and seeds are gathered and either stored in treer.4 or buried in the ground. So many are stored that hollows there is an ample amount to last the winter. The seeds that are not remembered and dug up for food may sprout into trees, making the squirrel an asset to the reforestation program.