Dec. 18 (UPI) — California ground squirrels that scientists thought ate only grains are eating voles, too, according to researchers at University of California-Davis and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Squirrels are one of the most familiar animals to people,” Jennifer E. Smith of UW-Eau Claire said in a UC Davis statement.
This suggests that the squirrels’ hunting behavior emerged alongside a temporary increase in the availability of prey, the study said.
The scientists never say the squirrels eating other mammals, only the voles.
According to Smith California ground squirrels are “incredible opportunists.”
Dec. Researchers at the University of California-Davis and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire have discovered that California ground squirrels, which scientists previously believed only consumed grains, are also consuming voles.
“This behavior had never been observed by us before. According to Jennifer E., squirrels are among the most recognizable animals to humans. In a statement from UC Davis, Smith of UW-Eau Claire said. We frequently communicate with them, and we can see them right outside our windows. However, this behavior has never been seen in science before and highlights how much more we still need to know about the natural history of the world we live in. “..”.
It was “shocking,” Smith continued. “,”.
“The carnivorous summer behavior of the squirrels peaked during the first two weeks of July, coinciding with an explosion in vole numbers at the park reported by citizen scientists on iNaturalist,” a statement from UC Davis revealed. According to the study, this shows that the squirrels’ hunting habits developed concurrently with a brief rise in the amount of prey available.
The squirrel’s meat-eating habits were observed by Smith and other scientists between June 10 and July 30.
“My eyes were so unbelievable,” said Sonja Wild, a postdoctoral research fellow at UC Davis, in a statement. “..”.
After they began to look, the researchers noticed that behavior almost daily, she added.
Despite not being involved in the study at the time, John Koprowski, dean of the University of Wyoming’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, stated that voles “have come to) recognize the squirrels as predators.”. “Being eaten is typically not a great way to continue passing on your genes, so there’s probably some really cute interaction between the two species. “.
Only the voles are eaten by squirrels, according to the scientists.
California ground squirrels are “incredible opportunists,” according to Smith. “.
In order to learn more about squirrel behavior, the research team intends to return to the field the following summer to try to determine how common hunting behavior is and how it is transmitted from parent to pup.
