Known for their nut-collecting habits, California ground squirrels are now displaying shocking carnivorous behavior. A new study in the Journal of Ethology documents these squirrels hunting, killing, and eating voles in Contra Costa County’s Briones Regional Park. Researchers link this shift to a surge in vole populations. Lead author Jennifer Smith notes that this adaptability highlights the resilience of squirrels amid climate change and drought. These findings reshape our understanding of this familiar mammal and provide insights into ecosystem responses to environmental shifts.
