A Gruesome Dietary Adaptation
December 22, 2024 1:44 PM Subscribe
Squirrels Are Displaying ‘Widespread Carnivorous Behavior’ for the First Time in a California Park. The familiar rodents, known for eating nuts and seeds, have been spotted hunting, killing and consuming voles. Scientists say it might signal resiliency in face of future environmental pressures
“This was shocking,” study lead author Jennifer E. Smith, a professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, says in a statement. “We had never seen this behavior before.”
“At first, we questioned what was going on,” Smith tells Suzie Dundas of SFGATE. “But seeing the videos was astounding and shifted my perspective on a species that I have spent the last 12 years of my life studying.”
“This was shocking,” study lead author Jennifer E. Smith, a professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, says in a statement. “We had never seen this behavior before.”
“At first, we questioned what was going on,” Smith tells Suzie Dundas of SFGATE. “But seeing the videos was astounding and shifted my perspective on a species that I have spent the last 12 years of my life studying.”
There are no squirrels in Iceland, and foreigners who’re aware of that fact can sometimes spot Icelanders abroad because they’re the only people who stare at squirrels in city parks.
And that’s not because we’re fascinated by these exotic creatures, but because when we look, we see that glint in their eyes, that hint of death, that killing glare. Yes, it’s voles now, but then it will be larger game, then domestic animals, and finally humans, and there will be no stopping them, because a city is the perfect environment for a carnivorous pack of squirrels.
Only Iceland will survive the coming squirrelgeddon.
posted by Kattullus at 1:59 PM on December 22 [20 favorites]
And that’s not because we’re fascinated by these exotic creatures, but because when we look, we see that glint in their eyes, that hint of death, that killing glare. Yes, it’s voles now, but then it will be larger game, then domestic animals, and finally humans, and there will be no stopping them, because a city is the perfect environment for a carnivorous pack of squirrels.
Only Iceland will survive the coming squirrelgeddon.
posted by Kattullus at 1:59 PM on December 22 [20 favorites]
At their core they are simply cute, fuzzy tailed, arboreal RATS...
posted by jim in austin at 2:26 PM on December 22
posted by jim in austin at 2:26 PM on December 22
This would affect my dislike of squirrels; voles and mice cause lots of damage tomy house and car.
posted by theora55 at 2:27 PM on December 22 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 2:27 PM on December 22 [1 favorite]
There are no squirrels in Iceland, and foreigners who’re aware of that fact can sometimes spot Icelanders abroad because they’re the only people who stare at squirrels in city parks.
When I went to Stockholm for a month, the locals were similarly bemused by the amount of attention I paid to magpies.
Only Iceland will survive the coming squirrelgeddon.
Strong Stand Still, Stay Silent vibe there.
posted by notoriety public at 2:30 PM on December 22 [5 favorites]
When I went to Stockholm for a month, the locals were similarly bemused by the amount of attention I paid to magpies.
Only Iceland will survive the coming squirrelgeddon.
Strong Stand Still, Stay Silent vibe there.
posted by notoriety public at 2:30 PM on December 22 [5 favorites]
I had a yard infested with voles. You can’t plant anything. I literally almost bought a device that looks like a metal detector without the plate … you stick it in the burrows and release gas, then press a button to ignite like in Caddyshack. This is a real thing. I guess what I’m saying is viva la squirrel revolucion.
posted by caviar2d2 at 3:10 PM on December 22 [1 favorite]
posted by caviar2d2 at 3:10 PM on December 22 [1 favorite]
Lots of squirrels on my street. As I walk the dogs, I'll look up at them in the trees.
Sometimes one looks right back at me until I go away.
posted by Lemkin at 3:16 PM on December 22
Sometimes one looks right back at me until I go away.
posted by Lemkin at 3:16 PM on December 22
Native French speakers have considerable difficulty pronouncing the word "squirrel".
But I have considerable difficulty pronouncing the word "ecureuil", so it evens out.
posted by Lemkin at 3:19 PM on December 22 [1 favorite]
But I have considerable difficulty pronouncing the word "ecureuil", so it evens out.
posted by Lemkin at 3:19 PM on December 22 [1 favorite]
ALSO PLAGUE VECTOR. don't feed the sqwerls.
posted by supermedusa at 3:46 PM on December 22 [1 favorite]
posted by supermedusa at 3:46 PM on December 22 [1 favorite]
Everything changes in a Fifth Season?
posted by janell at 3:53 PM on December 22 [1 favorite]
posted by janell at 3:53 PM on December 22 [1 favorite]
They are just so cute though...
If I could have a pack of squirrels as pets, that would be fun.
Not if they are going to go all carnivore though.
posted by Windopaene at 4:14 PM on December 22
If I could have a pack of squirrels as pets, that would be fun.
Not if they are going to go all carnivore though.
posted by Windopaene at 4:14 PM on December 22
I was visiting France this past summer. I saw no squirrels. I did see a lizard in Toulouse, though. It ran away when I tried to pet it. I've never seen a lizard outside of a zoo.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 4:30 PM on December 22
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 4:30 PM on December 22
« Older Champion of the oppressed
posted by lalochezia at 1:55 PM on December 22 [1 favorite]