California squirrels aren’t satisfied with granola and soy like their human counterparts… they crave the flesh of other animals.
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It’s all true. Turns out those adorable park squirrels begging for peanuts have a darker side—they’re out here turning small rodents into snacks…
A recent study conducted by researchers at U.C. Davis and UW-Eau Claire revealed surprising behavior in California ground squirrels. Of course, squirrels are known to eat nuts and fruit. However, these particular cuties have also been seen hunting and eating voles, small rodents that look like mice.
Jennifer E. Smith, an associate professor of biology at UW-Eau Claire and co-lead of the long-term ground squirrels project alongside Sonja Wild of UC Davis, admitted the findings were out of left field in a press release.
“This was shocking,” Smith said of the critter carnivores.
“We had never seen this behavior before,” she continued. “Squirrels are one of the most familiar animals to people. We see them right outside our windows. We interact with them regularly. Yet here’s this never-before-encountered-in-science behavior that sheds light on the fact that there’s so much more to learn about the natural history of the world around us.”
The study revealed that between June and July, 74 ground squirrels were observed interacting with voles, with nearly half (42 percent) actively hunting the smaller rodents. This behavior was documented on video within the park, offering a fascinating glimpse into their diet.
The Study Captured Footage of Squirrels Hunting Their Prey on a Quest for Meat
The footage captured squirrels actively hunting, eating, and competing for vole prey. The UC Davis press release also noted that this carnivorous behavior peaked during the first two weeks of July, coinciding with the vole population’s highest numbers in the park. The study showed that squirrels started hunting more as voles became more common in the area.
“The fact that California ground squirrels are behaviorally flexible and can respond to changes in food availability might help them persist in environments rapidly changing due to the presence of humans,” Wild explained.
However, there’s no need to lock up your cats and small dogs… yet.
The study revealed that while some ground squirrels displayed carnivorous tendencies, their diet appeared to include only voles. Smith also described them as “incredible opportunists,” highlighting their adaptability and flexibility in feeding habits.
Meanwhile, scientists studying this behavior still have many unanswered questions. They want to know how the squirrels started hunting voles, if this behavior is passed down from parent to offspring, and how it impacts ecological processes.