Rise of the killer SQUIRRELS: Rodents are evolving to become carnivorous, scientists say - after spotting them devouring voles
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With their bushy tails and bulging cheeks, squirrels are often seen as cute animals. But a new study has painted the rodents in an entirely new light. Scientists have captured shocking footage of California ground squirrels hunting, killing, and then eating voles.
![[Scientists have captured shocking footage of California ground squirrels hunting, killing, and then eating voles]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/15/93238211-14202079-image-a-105_1734450472990.jpg)
Until now, squirrels have been considered 'granivorous' animals (those that feed on grain), but the new footage suggests that squirrels are evolving to become carnivorous. 'This was shocking,' said Dr Jennifer E. Smith, an associate professor of biology at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, who led the study.
![[Until now, squirrels have been considered 'granivorous' animals (those that feed on grain), but the new footage suggests that squirrels are evolving to become carnivorous]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/15/93238217-14202079-image-a-107_1734450479376.jpg)
'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. 'Yet here's this never-before-encountered-in-science behavior that sheds light on the fact that there's so much more to learn about the natural history of the world around us.'.
![[The scientists we observing the squirrels at Briones Regional Park in Contra Costa County when they spotted the unusual behaviour]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/15/93238213-14202079-image-a-109_1734450495207.jpg)
With their bushy tails and bulging cheeks, squirrels are often seen as cute animals. But a new study has painted the rodents in an entirely new light. Scientists have captured shocking footage of California ground squirrels hunting, killing, and then eating voles.
![[Between June 10 and July 30, they were amazed to see California ground squirrels of all ages and genders hunting, eating, and competing over vole prey]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/15/93238205-14202079-image-a-111_1734450503144.jpg)
Until now, squirrels have been considered 'granivorous' animals (those that feed on grain), but the new footage suggests that squirrels are evolving to become carnivorous. The scientists were observing the squirrels at Briones Regional Park in Contra Costa County when they spotted the unusual behaviour.
![[Out of 74 observed interactions with voles between, almost half (42 per cent) involved active hunting of these small rodents by ground squirrels]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/15/93238207-14202079-image-a-116_1734450512342.jpg)
