Carnivorous California squirrels go nuts for flesh

Squirrels might look like adorable, nut-hoarding furballs, but some are ruthless predators that hunt, tear apart, and devour voles.

- AFP

Washington - Squirrels might look like adorable, nut-hoarding furballs, but some are ruthless predators that hunt, tear apart, and devour voles.

That's the startling finding of a new study published on Wednesday in the Journal of Ethology - the first to document widespread carnivorous behaviour in these seemingly innocent creatures.

"There is always something new to learn and wild animals continue to surprise us," lead author Jennifer E Smith, an associate professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, said.

The observations were made this northern summer, during the 12th year of a long-term study conducted at Briones Regional Park in Contra Costa County, California.