A new study published in the Journal of Ethology has found that California ground squirrels are not just granivorous, but also opportunistic carnivores. The research, led by Jennifer E. Smith and Sonja Wild from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and University of California, Davis, respectively, observed 74 interactions between ground squirrels and voles in Briones Regional Park, Contra Costa County.
The study reveals that 42% of these interactions involved active hunting, with the squirrels targeting small rodents. This behavior is a significant departure from their previously assumed granivorous diet. The researchers documented this widespread carnivorous behavior through videos, photos, and direct observations between June 10 and July 30.
Lead author Jennifer Smith explained that the findings were surprising, saying “We had never seen this behavior before.” However, as more data was collected, they realized that the squirrels’ hunting behavior is not unique to their age or gender. The researchers observed that all ages and genders of California ground squirrels are capable of hunting voles.
The study’s authors suggest that the emergence of this carnivorous behavior may be linked to changes in food availability, particularly during times of high vole populations. This adaptability could help the squirrels persist in environments rapidly changing due to human presence.
While many questions remain unanswered, such as how widespread this behavior is and how it affects ecological processes, the researchers are excited to return to the field next summer to study its impact on squirrel reproduction.
The discovery sheds light on the complexity of natural history and highlights the importance of continued scientific research in understanding animal behavior.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-12-carnivorous-squirrels-documented-california.html