In a discovery that challenges decades of wildlife research, California ground squirrels have been observed hunting and consuming voles, marking the first documented evidence of widespread carnivorous behavior in this species. The findings emerged from the Long-term Behavioral Ecology of California Ground Squirrels Project at Briones Regional Park, Contra Costa County. “This was shocking,” stated Jennifer E. Smith, lead author and associate professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. “We had never seen this behavior before. Squirrels are one of the most familiar animals to people. We see them right outside our windows; we interact with them regularly. … Continue reading California Ground Squirrels Hunt Voles: 42% of Interactions Show Carnivorous Behavior