Some Squirrels Are Ruthless Predators That Devour Meat, Study Says

If you have considered squirrels to be only vegetarian creatures, then this news may surprise you. Squirrels are considered to be creatures that live on trees and eat fruits and seeds. But did you know that squirrels also eat meat? Yes, ground squirrels in California also hunt voles, a rat-like creature. She kills them and eats them! This is quite shocking because such an incident has come on record for the first time.

This is the first time in a squirrel species seen This is when she has been observed hunting living vertebrates. Study To Journal of Ethology Has been published in. It explains how these squirrels changed with the changing environment. These have also changed, especially with the increasing population of local voles (voles are a type of rodent).

Vole populations have been found to be increasing in many parts of Northern California. Voles are now available as food for the squirrels. Traditionally, California ground squirrels are either herbivorous or omnivorous. But now they have also started hunting voles. This shows that with the changing environment they are also changing their habits.

According to Jennifer Smith, the lead author of the study, this research is going to change the perception about squirrels. Squirrels are known as the most familiar mammals in the world. But these animals have proven to be very flexible and have the ability to adapt themselves to survive in a rapidly changing world. Smith said that squirrels changing their habits based on food availability is a big sign. This indicates that like them, other creatures present on earth can also change their eating habits according to the changing circumstances. Therefore, through this research on squirrels, the future behavior of other species can also be predicted.