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A new study from U.C. Davis and UW-Eau Claire found that California ground squirrels not only eat nuts and fruit — but also hunt and eat voles, which are small mouse-like rodents.
No, this isn't an article written for (or by) squirrels – humans can actually eat acorns under certain circumstances. The nuts stem from oak trees, and can actually elicit a mild, nutty flavor.
An unexpected shift in squirrel behavior. Smith and her colleagues observed the squirrels’ meat-eating behavior during a study period from June 10 to July 30.
Squirrels, being primarily herbivores, eat a wide variety of plants, as well as nuts, seeds, conifer cones, fruits, fungi, and green vegetation. Some squirrels, however, also consume meat, especially when faced with hunger. [21] [32] Squirrels have been known to eat small birds, young snakes, and smaller rodents, as well as bird eggs and insects.
They also eat the fleshy scales of green giant sequoia cones, as well as acorns, berries, mushrooms, the eggs of birds such as yellow warblers, and some fruit including strawberries and plums. Douglas squirrels are larder hoarders, [7] storing their food in a single location or 'larder' called a midden. As the squirrel peels the scales of cones ...
They also eat seeds and insects (ants, termites, and grasshoppers). Most of their foods are chosen for high water content because of the shortage of available water in their environment. The average water content of the food they eat is 80%. [3] The squirrels prefer seeds and parts of grasses and flowers, but can climb into shrubs and trees for ...
California ground squirrels of all ages and genders were seen hunting, eating and competing over vole at a local park between June 10 and July 30, but the "carnivorous behavior" peaked during the ...
Belding's ground squirrels do not keep food in caches. Instead they store fat reserves. [4] [7] As such, the ground squirrels may eat a great amount of food before hibernation. They must spend as much as 40% of the summer eating. [7] When eating, the ground squirrel feeds itself with its front paws while standing on its back paws. [7]