Published February 6, 2026 at 6:10PM
Courtesy Mary Shewan
A single photo of a very round squirrel sparked a lively discussion in a local Montgomery Village Facebook group after resident Mary Shewan shared the image and joked that the animal may have eaten too much bird seed.
Captioned, “this squirrel might have eaten too much of the bird seed I put out,” the post quickly drew reactions and speculation. Several commenters wondered whether the squirrel could be pregnant, while others suspected it was simply well-fed and bracing against the cold.
Seeing squirrels puff up to this size is fairly common during colder months. As temperatures drop, squirrels build up extra fat reserves and fluff their fur to conserve heat. When they sit with their paws tucked in and fur flared out, their bodies can look much rounder than usual.
Pregnant squirrels typically appear different. Rather than a uniformly round shape, pregnancy often causes a more elongated, pear-shaped belly. Enlarged or visible nipples may also be noticeable, especially as fur thins closer to birth.
In this case, the squirrel’s belly appears evenly round rather than distended lower on the body, suggesting winter bulk rather than pregnancy. While it is impossible to be certain from a single photo, the shape and posture point more toward a cold-weather survival strategy than an expectant mother.
Whether it was simply a well-fed squirrel doing squirrel things or an early sign of pregnancy, the image clearly struck a chord with the group. One commenter summed up the mood perfectly, writing, “and look how politely she’s waiting for some more.”