New research has revealed that some California ground squirrels in a Northern California park are exhibiting carnivorous behavior by hunting and consuming rodents, deviating from their usual vegetarian diet of nuts and seeds. This surprising discovery was made by scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of California at Davis, marking the first documented widespread carnivorous behavior among squirrels.
Traditionally known for their vegetarian diet consisting of acorns, seeds, nuts, and fruits, squirrels occasionally supplement their food intake with insects, eggs, or young hatchlings. However, the recent study published in the Journal of Ethology has fundamentally changed the understanding of ground squirrels, revealing their adaptability to changing food availability.
The research was conducted at Briones Regional Park in Contra Costa County, where scientists observed squirrels hunting small rodents known as voles. The carnivorous behavior peaked in July, coinciding with an increase in the vole population at the park. This flexibility in hunting strategies allows the squirrels to adapt to environmental changes caused by human presence.
While many questions remain unanswered about the squirrels’ behavior, researchers plan to continue studying their carnivorous habits and their impact on squirrel reproduction in future studies. The study was partially funded by various programs and organizations, including the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program and the Swiss National Science Foundation.
