Ravenous California ground squirrels have been observed killing and eating small rodents, marking the first widespread carnivorous behavior documented among the species. The squirrels, rodents themselves, are eating California voles. California vole subspecies are listed as species of special concern and one is endangered.

The familiar rodents, known for eating nuts and seeds, have been spotted hunting and decapitating voles in a gruesome dietary adaptation. Scientists say it might signal resiliency in face of future en