CALIFORNIA – This remarkable footage recently captured at the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge shows a California ground squirrel throwing wood chips, jumping around, and flicking its tail at a southern Pacific rattlesnake. It’s believed that the dramatic, around eight minute encounter was in response to the snake having just eaten another squirrel.
The squirrel itself may not have been in danger of being eaten, as the snake just ate, but ground squirrels don’t just work to protect themselves. This act could have been intended to defend their burrows, warn nearby squirrels of the danger, and potentially protect their young or relatives.
Southern Pacific rattlesnakes are venomous and potentially dangerous to people. They’ll eat small mammals, reptiles, and birds, though they don’t eat all that frequently. Adults can go up to two weeks without eating if their last meal was large enough, while juveniles usually eat about once a week. While a bite can be extremely dangerous, rattlesnakes usually don’t strike or bite without provocation. If given some space and enough time to escape, they’ll usually do so.
