California ground squirrels gone predator?

[Wojownik]

 

[dennishoddy]

With the plethora of walnut, acorn and pecan trees in our yard, the tree rats stay true to their diet.
Actually doing a great job. Between the back door and the shop there is a 90' tall walnut tree. It dropped hundreds of walnuts in October and November. The squirrels have cleaned them up and moved on to the other trees that drop nuts.

 

[Decoligny]

What is considered to be a "California Ground Squirrel" looks a lot like a regular squirrel, unless they have just used a stock photo for showing their squirrels. And, the one in that image has what looks like a vole in his mouth.

Having spent 23 in Southern California, the “ground squirrels” are pretty much regular squirrels that live in burrows. I live in the Mojave Desert and trees weren’t nearly as abundant as in most states. So the squirrels dig holes, usually under big rocks.

 

[bigred1]

Squirrels will eat insects and snakes so the above posting I do not find surprising, rabbits hamsters will eat their young. I have seen it.
Butterflies will drink blood and ladybugs will bite the crap out of you as will a cricket.
Nature is funny sometimes.

I shot a skunk in a buddies yard with an arrow and left it there and 4 days later the gophers pulled it under the ground and made a pile of dirt over it arrow still in the ground.
They made the skunk disappear!! Did they eat it.
Buddy pulled the arrow out of the ground and no skunk attached to it.


I spend way too much time in the woods maybe.

Maybe they didn't want to smell it either....