Some California Squirrels Found to Be Carnivorous by Scientists

Researchers found evidence showing some squirrels in Northern California park hunt for rodents instead of sticking to vegetarian diets.

A California ground squirrel forages near an old cigarette butt in Solana Beach, Calif., on March 22, 2004. David McNew/Getty Images

Scientists discovered that some California ground squirrels are carnivorous, hunting and eating rodents instead of their usual diet of nuts and seeds, according to new research published Oct. 18.

The study, led by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of California at Davis, is the first to chronicle widespread carnivorous behavior among squirrels.