California Ground Squirrels Exhibit Rare Carnivorous Behavior, Study Finds

Researchers document squirrels hunting and eating voles in a California park, marking a significant shift in their dietary habits.

A study conducted in Briones Regional Park observed California ground squirrels hunting, killing, and eating voles for the first time.
Researchers recorded 74 interactions between squirrels and voles in June and July, with 42% involving active predation by the squirrels.
The behavior appears to be a response to a local surge in vole populations, which were seven times higher than the ten-year average in the area.
This dietary flexibility highlights the squirrels' adaptability to changing environmental conditions, including human impacts like climate change and habitat disruption.
Scientists are investigating whether this behavior could spread to other regions or persist beyond the current vole population boom.