Final answer:
After accidentally running over a squirrel with a lawn mower, check for injuries and contact wildlife rehabilitators. For a small meteorite crash, report it to local authorities, consult experts, and check if damage is covered by insurance. Squirrels can survive falls due to their lightweight bodies and ability to absorb impacts.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you accidentally ran over a squirrel with a lawn mower, the most humane and responsible action to take would be option A: Check for injuries and contact a wildlife rehabilitator if needed. In the case of finding a small meteorite that crashed near your home, the first call should be to local authorities to report the incident and ensure safety, followed by contacting a meteorite expert or a local university's astronomy department for authentication and advice.
The sample should be handled as little as possible and it should be placed in a clean container. Regarding damage to your house, it would be prudent to check with your insurance company to determine if such an event is covered under your policy.
As for why a squirrel can jump from a tree branch to the ground and run away undamaged, while a human could break a bone in such a fall, it has to do with biology. Squirrels have lightweight bodies and their size allows them to fall from greater heights relative to their size without getting injured. Their terminal velocity is lower, meaning they don't fall as fast as heavier creatures do, and their bodies are designed to absorb impacts effectively.