Squirrels are known to eat fruits, nuts and store food during the winter, but scientists have recently discovered that California squirrels are evolving to become predators.
When we think of squirrels , the image that comes to mind is usually of cute little creatures, hopping from branch to branch, storing nuts for the winter. But the truth is, squirrels are much more than harmless nut-eaters.
A recent study has revealed an unexpected side: California ground squirrels – squirrels known for their gentle nature – can become cold-blooded hunters , ready to hunt and eat other rodents, especially voles.
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| California ground squirrels appear to be evolving into predators. Photo: Journal of Ethology |
Published in the Journal of Ethology, the study is the first to document widespread predation in California ground squirrels. The team spent more than 12 years tracking the squirrels’ behavior at Briones Regional Park in Contra Costa County, California.
This summer, scientists recorded 74 interactions between ground squirrels and voles, with 42% of them involving active hunting behavior.
Ground squirrels have been observed to ambush their prey from bushes or chase them across open ground. When they attack, they aim straight for the prey’s neck, using their sharp teeth to finish it off, then shake the body vigorously before carrying it away to eat. This is an effective hunting strategy, with a success rate of up to 55% in 31 recorded hunting attempts.
“This is evidence that there is still much we don’t know about these seemingly familiar animals,” said study co-author Dr. Jennifer E. Smith, a biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. “Direct observation of natural history is the best way to uncover these secrets.”
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| Their preferred prey is voles rather than nuts. Photo: Journal of Ethology |
One factor driving the predation in California ground squirrels may have been an unusual surge in vole populations in the study area in early July. The iNaturalist ecological tracking app recorded the vole population explosion, creating an abundant and accessible food source for the squirrels.
“At first, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this behavior,” said Sonja Wild, study co-author and postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Davis. “But as we started looking more closely, we realized this phenomenon was happening more often than we thought.”
This raises the question: is squirrel hunting behavior driven by a need for survival or simply a response to an abundant resource?
The predatory behavior of California ground squirrels is not entirely new. Previous studies have documented some squirrels as opportunistic predators, such as when they find abandoned bird eggs or small animal carcasses. However, this study is the first to document active, strategic predatory behavior in squirrels.
Climate change, habitat loss and human interference with nature may have driven this shift, scientists say. By expanding their diet, ground squirrels not only increase their chances of survival, but also demonstrate remarkable adaptability in an increasingly harsh environment.
Readers are invited to watch the video "The moment a shark hunts its prey was recorded from above"
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