Why do squirrels rub snake scent on themselves, and what does it actually do?

Ground squirrels have a surprising survival trick. They use the smell of rattlesnakes to hide their own scent from predators. Researchers observed squirrels chewing on shed snake skin and rubbing it on their fur. This chemical camouflage helps them avoid being detected by hunting snakes. This unique behavior is a sophisticated anti-predator strategy developed over time.