When I saw this link pop up on my Gmail browser, I decided initially to treat it the same way I treat all the Gmail links: that is, pretend it isn’t there and continue to press refresh until someone actually e-mails me. But, when I saw it twice, I just couldn’t help but check it out. Nestled safely between links to “Sean Combs settles punching lawsuit” and “Amazing black bean brownies” sat the subject of this blog: “Squirrels Network like Facebook Friends.”

Although I am perpetually fascinated with squirrels, the idea of exploring their social networks in more depth was simply too intriguing an opportunity to pass up. So, I did the unthinkable. I clicked. And off I went to Discovery News, where I learned the following factoids.

1. Squirrels belong to social networks

2. Certain squirrels are more important to these networks than others. These are the “Kevin Bacons,” the ones who serve as central connecting points between other squirrels.

3. The head honcho squirrel in this study was named Mercedes. Other squirrel monikers - 65 Colombian ground squirrels in Alberta, Canada were studied and named - include, but are not limited to, 7-Up, Eighth Notes and Princess Pea.

Unfortunately, the study does not look to have extremely profound implications.

“What I like about this paper is that it shows individuals have different relationships with others,” said Daniel Blumstein, an associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California at Los Angeles.

Not exactly rocket science, Mr. Blumstein. But I’ll be you had a great time naming the little fellas.

Squirrel kissing, defined in the study as “oral contact that does not lead to bickering,” is at least somewhat similar to human kissing in that respect.

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