The campus pedestrian walking the oak-lined paths between classes may be struck by the absence of one of the University's most persistent residents -- the squirrels.

Squirrels -- the largest member of the rodent family -- are particularly prevalent on this campus because of the great availability of artificial food sources (people) and the large number of mature oaks, said Carolyn Mahan (graduate-wildlife and fishery science).

Their absence may have been overlooked because of the more immediate concerns of campus pedestrians, such as unsteady footing and mammoth snowdrifts.

"It's not that there are less around, they are just not active," Mahan said. Like most small mammals, squirrels must shut down their activities to conserve heat and energy, he added.

Although squirrels are light enough that they can move around on top of the snow, they can't burrow through the ice to forage for food.

"They tend to stay in tree cavities while it's cold and bad outside. They'll come out again when it's warmer," said Margaret Brittingham, assistant professor of wildlife resources.

But as pathetic as the occasionally glimpsed squirrel may look, students shouldn't be sorry for them, because in addition to having better eyesight, hearing and speed than humans, they are also a lot better off in cold weather.

The squirrels have an advantage over us because they do not have to spend a few hundred dollars to get a waterproof, insulated coat. They grow a thick undercoat that keeps them as warm and dry as any Gore-tex could. Their tails even double as blankets, according to a guidebook on squirrels by Emilie U. Lepthien.

And although students may go hungry in their cold apartments, the squirrels will have no shortage of food this winter because they have been very conscientiously stocking up.

In addition to the tidbits they pick up from campus pedestrians by their acting abilities, their stores are supplemented with berries, nuts, mushrooms and seeds.

Pine cones are particularly favored by these rodents, according to a wildlife book about animals in cities and parks reviewed by Charles P. Milne Jr., a visiting assistant professor of biology at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis.