Here’s an article from my favorite homepage, www.happynews.com about a research team that is using robotic animals to get a closer view of animal behavior:
http://www.happynews.com/news/522008/mechanical-squirrels-robot-lizards-jump-research.htm
The squirrel in the photo looks remarkably like Lucy’s stuffed squirrels (dubbed “Squirrely Squirrel” at my house.) Here is Lucy’s preferred squirrel of choice: http://www.petco.com/product/100216/AKC-Squirrel-Dog-Toy.aspx Her favorite activity is to rip the squirrel open and degut it. Total carnage. Then I restuff the squirrel and take it to Squirrely Squirrel Hospital (my sewing machine). Then the vicious cycle starts again.
I’ve always wanted to get a robotic squirrel or bunny for the yard just to have it run around the yard so Lucy could chase it. She would love it.