California squirrels can get a little carnivorous from time to time, according to a recently published study .
Researchers from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of California, Davis were the first to observe and document the bushy-tailed rodent species hunting, killing and eating voles, another small rodent species, according to a Wednesday news release .
The study suggests that California ground squirrels, previously thought to solely be granivorous species, are actually an “opportunistic omnivore” with a more flexible diet than previously assumed, which “fundamentally changes our understanding of ground squirrels.”
California ground squirrels were found with ‘carnivorous behaviors’
The observations of California ground squirrels engaging in “carnivorous behaviors” were all recorded this year. About 42% of the 74 interactions witnessed between June and July involved “active hunting” of voles.
California ground squirrels deviating from a steady diet of nuts, seeds or grains was “shocking,” said Jennifer E. Smith, study lead and associate professor of biology at UW-Eau Claire.