Caffeine's Impact on Squirrels: Fact or Fiction in Hoodwinked & Over the Hedge

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the effects of caffeine on squirrels, particularly in the context of animated films like "Hoodwinked" and "Over the Hedge." Participants conclude that while these cartoons depict squirrels becoming super-fast after consuming coffee, this is not scientifically accurate. Most plant-eating mammals, including squirrels, exhibit caffeine insensitivity, meaning they are unlikely to experience significant effects from caffeine consumption. Additionally, caffeine is noted to be effective against certain invertebrates, such as slugs and snails, when used in the form of coffee grounds.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of mammalian physiology and caffeine metabolism
  • Familiarity with animated film tropes and their exaggerations
  • Knowledge of caffeine's effects on various species
  • Basic comprehension of hibernation and its physiological impacts
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physiological effects of caffeine on different mammal species
  • Explore the role of caffeine in pest control, particularly against slugs and snails
  • Investigate the biological mechanisms of caffeine insensitivity in mammals
  • Examine the portrayal of animal behavior in animated films versus real-life biology
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for biologists, animators, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the intersection of science and popular culture, particularly regarding animal behavior and the effects of substances like caffeine.

Panthera Leo
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Hello everyone :smile:

Is there any special effect of Caffeine on Squirrels ?

with reference to Hoodwinked & Over the hedge (Animated Cartoons)

In these animated cartoons, squirrels get super-fast by drinking coffee! Is this really true?
 
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Insights into cardioprotection obtained from study of cellular Ca2+ handling in myocardium of true hibernating mammals.
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Panthera Leo said:
Hello everyone :smile:

Is there any special effect of Caffeine on Squirrels ?

...

In these animated cartoons, squirrels get super-fast by drinking coffee! Is this really true?

No, not really.
Anyway, most plant-eating (and omnivorous) mammals are pretty caffeine-insensitive. Most humans are only slightly stimulated by a dose of caffeine that would kill a dog or cat. Squirrels probably would not come to much harm.
Interestingly, caffeine is quite effective against many invertebrates and, in the form of used coffee grounds (NOT decaf!) it is a remarkably good material for killing and repelling slugs and snails.
Pass the coffee!

Jon
 
Last edited:
"Caffeine vs Squirels" :confused:

What are they fighting about?
 
I'm going to leave a dough nut dunked in coffee in my Squirrel feeder this weekend. They have been acting a bit sluggish anyways.
 
hypatia said:
I'm going to leave a dough nut dunked in coffee in my Squirrel feeder this weekend. They have been acting a bit sluggish anyways.
Lucky squirrels!:smile:
I like your bird song tag. Here in South Africa we have certain birds (some shrikes and robins or robin-chats) that sing antiphonally, ie in tune with each other. It is a mutual recognition and bonding thing. One famous example is the bokmakierie shrike. When they raise a clutch and the youngsters have fledged, but not yet left the family, they join in family harmony groups, no doubt training the young in song techniques, and the result is the most attractive birdsong that I personally have heard. Nothing to do with caffeine, but I thought that you might like to hear of it.
Cheers

Jon
 
To be clear, as far as amphetamines go, caffeine gets pretty toxic before rendering you superhuman. How fast you, or a squirrel is, does not really depend on whether you've had your morning cup of bean juice. A squirrel, like other animals, is probably at its fastest when fleeing or fighting, under the influence of its adorable little adrenals. Ooooh, little squirrel glands! :-p
 
Thanks for your contributions...
 
Panthera Leo said:
In these animated cartoons, squirrels get super-fast by drinking coffee! Is this really true?

This is not true.

Additional cartoon fallacies include ...

When Wile E. Cyote paints a picture of a tunnel on a cliff-face, the road runner can't really run right through it as if it were real.

When Jerry shoves a stick of dynamite down Tom's throat and it explodes in his belly, he can't really survive and start chasing Jerry with only 1 minute of recovery time.

When Bugs Bunny puts his finger in Elmer Fudd's shotgun, he can't really prevent the pellets from coming out. In realty, Bugs' head would be blown off. Also, even if the gun exploded in Elmer's face, he wouldn't not bleed; and, at the very least, there should be bits of shrapnel in his face, in the next scene.
 
  • #10
stevenb said:
This is not true.

Additional cartoon fallacies include ...

When Wile E. Cyote paints a picture of a tunnel on a cliff-face, the road runner can't really run right through it as if it were real.

When Jerry shoves a stick of dynamite down Tom's throat and it explodes in his belly, he can't really survive and start chasing Jerry with only 1 minute of recovery time.

When Bugs Bunny puts his finger in Elmer Fudd's shotgun, he can't really prevent the pellets from coming out. In realty, Bugs' head would be blown off. Also, even if the gun exploded in Elmer's face, he wouldn't not bleed; and, at the very least, there should be bits of shrapnel in his face, in the next scene.

You're killing my childhood dreams! Are you telling me that if I run off a cliff, I'll fall before I realize that I'm walking on air? :wink:

To be fair to the OP, I think the question of the effect of an amphetamine on fast little rodents is much more reasonable than the standard ACME fair.
 
  • #11
nismaratwork said:
To be fair to the OP, I think the question of the effect of an amphetamine on fast little rodents is much more reasonable than the standard ACME fair.

Yes, of course. I just couldn't resist the great setup he provided. :rolleyes:

One never knows from what strange places legitimate questions are born. The OP was kind enough to entertain us by revealing the origin to this one.
 
  • #12
stevenb said:
Yes, of course. I just couldn't resist the great setup he provided. :rolleyes:

One never knows from what strange places legitimate questions are born. The OP was kind enough to entertain us by revealing the origin to this one.

You are most welcome :biggrin: lol!
 

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