A ground squirrel with cheeks stuffed with nuts, seeds or grains is a common sight. But a new study provides the first evidence that California ground squirrels also hunt, kill and eat voles. The study, led by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and University of California, Davis, is the first to chronicle widespread carnivorous behavior among squirrels.

Published in the Journal of Ethology, the study fundamentally changes our understanding of ground squirrels. It suggests that what was considered a granivorous species actually is an opportunistic omnivore and more flexible in its diet than was assumed.

The observations occurred in 2024—the 12th year of the Long-term Behavioral Ecology of California Ground Squirrels Project conducted at Briones Regional Park in Contra Costa County. Out of 74 observed interactions with voles between June and July, 42% involved active hunting of these small rodents by ground squirrels.

“This was shocking,” said lead author Jennifer E. Smith, an associate professor of biology at UW-Eau Claire who leads the long-term ground squirrels project with Sonja Wild of UC Davis.

“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.”

Wild has observed hundreds of squirrels in nature and yet, even for her, when the undergraduate students came in from field work and told her what they had witnessed, she said, “No, I’m not sure what you’re referring to.” Then she watched the video.

“I could barely believe my eyes,” said Wild, a postdoctoral research fellow in the UC Davis Environmental Science and Policy department. “From then, we saw that behavior almost every day. Once we started looking, we saw it everywhere.”

Opportunists amid rapid change

Through videos, photos and direct observations at the regional park, the authors documented California ground squirrels of all ages and genders hunting, eating and competing over vole prey between June 10 and July 30.

The squirrels’ carnivorous summer behavior peaked during the first two weeks of July, coinciding with an explosion of vole numbers at the park reported by citizen scientists on iNaturalist. This suggests the squirrels’ hunting behavior emerged alongside a temporary increase in the availability of prey, the study said. The scientists didn’t observe the squirrels hunting other mammals.

“The fact that California ground squirrels are behaviorally flexible and can respond to changes in food availability might help them persist in environments rapidly changing due to the presence of humans,” Wild said.

Smith added that many species, including the California ground squirrel, are “incredible opportunists.” From raccoons and coyotes to spotted hyenas and humans, the flexibility these mammals apply to their hunting strategies helps them change and adapt with the human landscape.

“Through this collaboration and the data coming in, we’re able to document this widespread behavior that we had no idea was going on,” Smith said. “Digital technology can inform the science, but there’s no replacement for going out there and witnessing the behavior because what animals are doing always surprises us.”

The researchers said many questions remain unanswered, including how widespread hunting behavior is among squirrels, whether and how it is passed down from parent to pup, and how it affects ecological processes.

The authors are also excited to return to the field next summer to see what impact, if any, this year’s vole hunting may have on squirrel reproduction compared to the past decade.

One of the easiest recruiting tools ever – dominate against Trinity League competition = college glory awaits. Year after year the Southern California high school football conference produces some of the nation’s best talent. At JSerra Catholic, the Lions have a torchbearer in defensive end Simote Katoanga.

There’s no hyperbole when running down the long list of what Katoanga (6-5, 255) brings to the field. Twitchy with a great first step, Katoanga puts offensive linemen on roller skates pushing them into the lap of the quarterback. Even on plays where Katoanga doesn’t get the stat credit he has created chaos allowing his teammates to reap the rewards.

College scouts agree that Katoanga is a difference maker with 24 offers extended.

“They love that I can play off the edge and inside, like a hybrid,” Katoanga said. “They love my get off and my physicality. They love my speed and power.”

Bad news for California squads, Katoanga is adding more tools to the skill belt.

“I want to get better with my run fits, going to the side, and I am working on my pass rush moves,” Katoanga stated. “I want to be more fluid with my moves and not always relying on speed and power, but also my quickness.”

With Michigan showing interest, teams like Notre Dame, Georgia, Nebraska, Miami, Clemson, Cal, Oregon, Tennessee UCLA, Texas A&M, USC, Washington, and Arizona State have dropped offers.

“Most of the schools that have offered reach out,” Katoanga shared. “I talk to most schools on a daily basis; each week I talk to them.”

Katoanga added which teams are communicating how the four-star would fit nicely into their scheme.

“Most of them are talking about how they’d use me; Notre Dame, Oregon, Clemson, Tennessee, and UDUB (Washington) tell me what they see me as. I talk to most of the schools about how they see me.”

USC, Clemson, Washington, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and UCLA hosted Katoanga for regular season games. The Class of 2026 talent broke down visits with the Bruins, Fighting Irish, and Buckeyes.

UCLA: “It was great. I definitely see them, since their head coach (Chip Kelly) left, I see their potential. I love seeing what they are building at UCLA. I love their potential for next season.”

Notre Dame: “Man, it was a great experience. One of the highlights was the player walk. They have a long line with fans on both sides; we walked after the players. The fans were cheering, even for the recruits. Watching their d-line dominate against Florida State was also very cool. It gave me a vision where I could see myself playing for them.”

Ohio State: “I had a great time there too. I had a great time talking to coach Larry Johnson (DL). I liked watching their defense and how they dominated against Indiana.”

The 2025 visit schedule is wide open for Katoanga.

“There is nothing set right now,” Katoanga stated. “I have not checked out Tennessee. I want to check them out before I start eliminating schools.”

Katoanga expanded on his future recruiting plans, “I will probably take spring visits; go to some practices and Junior Days. I will narrow it down from there. When I take my official visits, that will probably be my top schools.”