Research publications or official wildlife reports

Over 70 California Ground Squirrels Documented Hunting and Eating Voles for the First Time in June and July 2024

Dec 18, 2024, 11:28 PM

Recent research from the University of California, Davis, and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has revealed that California ground squirrels are exhibiting carnivorous behavior, hunting and consuming voles for the first time. This behavior, previously undocumented, was observed during the summer months of June and July 2024, when over 70 squirrels were seen actively stalking, killing, and eating these small rodent relatives of hamsters. The study challenges long-held beliefs about the dietary habits of ground squirrels, which were thought to primarily forage for seeds and vegetation. Researchers noted that this discovery fundamentally alters the understanding of ground squirrel behavior, indicating that they may have more dietary flexibility than previously assumed. This shift in behavior appears to coincide with an increase in vole populations, prompting squirrels to adopt predatory habits as a response to available prey.