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These squirrels are cold-blooded vole killers
https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/12/watch-carnivorous-squirrels-chow-down-on-tasty-voles/
We think of squirrels as adorably harmless creatures, admiring their bushy tails and twitchy little noses and the way they cram their cheeks with nuts or seeds to bring back to their nests for later. But the rodents turn out to be a bit more bloodthirsty than we thought. According to a new paper published in the Journal of Ethology, California ground squirrels have been caught in the act—many times over—of chasing, killing, and eating voles.
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What a shit world we've created.
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Mea culpa! I'm looking after someone's cat while she's away at Christmas, and cats are warm-blooded cold-blooded killers. Am I the guilty man?
Yes
Human beings complain about other mammals killing and damaging things; not sure what to call that...
https://studyfinds.org/squirrels-turning-into-carnivorous-killers-in-california/
There is a tale told in my family, passed down to the younger generations:
On my first visit to Bristol, many years ago, my now-wife took me to Brandon Hill park, "where the squirrels are totally tame, they'll take food right out of your hand".
So I crouch down, offer a digestive biscuit out. A squirrel approaches; stops; comes a bit closer; stops; very carefully and delicately takes my finger in its 'hands'; then bites me, drawing blood - I drop the biscuit, which it picks up and scampers off with.
I hate the little blighters! (sorry, peter)
They've got an awful record:
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24592644.squirrels-without-tickets-attac...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-65092730
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-woman-terrorised-...
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/28/stripe-the-bitey-squirre...
That's just the last few years!
Where is Ian Duncan Smith when you need him?
Those voles need more situational awareness. And at the end of the day, it's better to be safe (and never leave your vole hole) than right (running across the
roadground and ending upunderin a squirrel). The ground is for ground squirrels - the clue's in the name.They should read scampercraft and not exaggerate the danger of scuttling along. I discourage squirrel predation by acting like one.