Squirrel eats snake at Texas national park

upi ^ | July 10, 2015 | Ben Hooper

[JoeProBono]

GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, Texas, -- The U.S. Department of Interior shared a photo of a squirrel at a Texas park displaying a little-known behavior for its species -- eating a snake.

The photo, which the department shared on Facebook and Twitter, was snapped by park ranger William Leggett at Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

"Ranger Leggett heard a racket outside the Frijole Ranch and then recorded the entire epic battle. The squirrel devoured most of the snake, bones and all, down to the last two inches," the Facebook post said.

The post said it isn't unheard of for rock squirrels to feast on serpents.

"Rock squirrels eat mostly plant material, fruits and nuts, but don't let their humble appearance fool you. They will also eat bird eggs, lizards and snakes," the department wrote.

[mware]

Good squirrel.

[wita]

Mama needs MEAT!

[Darksheare]

Ireland has squirrels but no snakes.
Now we know why.

[JoeProBono]

The 2007 survey of Irish squirrel populations noted that the invasive grey squirrels have continued to spread to the north, east and south of their previous recorded range. This project aims to investigate the population dynamics and demographics of grey squirrels at the edge of their invasion frontier. This information will be used to model future range expansion of grey squirrels in Ireland. The model will complete the picture of grey squirrel invasion in Europe and will help to explain why the grey squirrel invasion in Ireland has moved more slowly than in other countries where the grey squirrel has also been introduced (e.g. the UK). This project links in well with ongoing red and grey squirrel research in the Mammal Ecology Group and elsewhere in Europe and will be able to provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of species invasions at the range frontier.

[Darksheare]

“You have me in this prison, but soon I will be free! Soon I will have revenge!” -squirrel in trap.

[az_gila]

Our back yard ground squirrels prefer peanuts...:^)

[Theoria]

Yeah, it is not uncommon, especially during winter for a squirrel to jump on a bird. I've seen a 'cute' little gray squirrel[tree rat] jump on a cardinal and eat thru his head like a peanut.

Flying squirrels will often raid bird nests and eat young birds and eggs...yum yum...

[Does so]

A neighbor told me of watching an Eastern Chipmunk eating a green garden snake. All small rodents such as chipmunks and squirrels will eat baby birds in the nest. Red Squirrels are particularly destructive.

[JoeProBono]

[PAR35]

Our back yard ground squirrels prefer peanuts...:^)

Are you sure? Have you ever offered them fresh meat?

[Does so]

I meant North American Red Squirrels...

[JoeProBono]

[Scoutmaster]

I’m quite fond of the Guadalupe Mountains . . . although they never respond to my Juneteenth cards.

[Tax-chick]

It’s a beautiful place, in an empty way.

[Mashood]

Those squirrels are only found in Texas and Moundhouse.