California Killer Squirrels Confirmed to be Carnivorous

California ground squirrels have recently been observed hunting and killing voles in an unprecedented display of carnivorous behavior. This shocking discovery was made by researchers studying squirrel populations in Briones Regional Park, Contra Costa County, California.

Key Findings

• Widespread Behavior: Out of 74 observed interactions between squirrels and voles in June and July 2024, 42% involved active hunting of voles by ground squirrels.
• Novel Predatory Behavior: This is the first documented evidence of California ground squirrels actively hunting, killing, and eating other live vertebrates.
• Hunting Tactics: Squirrels were observed chasing voles across short distances in open areas, as well as stalking and ambushing their prey.
• Consumption Pattern: After a successful kill, squirrels typically started by removing the vole's head, then either pulled meat from the torso or stripped off the fur before eating.

Possible Explanations

The emergence of this carnivorous behavior is likely linked to a significant increase in the local vole population:

1. Vole Population Explosion: Vole numbers in California peaked in 2024, with reports indicating populations were roughly seven times higher than the 10-year average.
2. Opportunistic Adaptation: Researchers believe the squirrels are taking advantage of the sudden abundance of prey, demonstrating their ability to adapt to changes in food availability.

Implications

This discovery challenges our understanding of California ground squirrels:

• It suggests that the species is more of an opportunistic omnivore than previously thought.
• The behavior demonstrates the squirrels' ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments, which may help them persist in the face of human-induced environmental changes.

Researchers plan to continue monitoring the squirrel population to determine if this hunting behavior persists and whether it can be passed down between generations