The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently posted a video showing a battle between a ground squirrel and a southern Pacific rattlesnake in California, and you have to see (and listen) to it to believe it.
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“Sound on!!!” USFWS wrote in its caption sharing the video. “Recently at the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge in California, a California ground squirrel was observed tossing wood chips, jumping around and flicking its tail at a southern Pacific rattlesnake, likely in response to the snake having just eaten another squirrel. The dramatic encounter lasted at least eight minutes.”
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But why does the squirrel bother if the snake already ate its friend? USFWS says ground squirrels aren’t always out for number one; they defend their burrows, warn nearby squirrels, and protect their families, even if these actions come at great personal risk.
“These clever critters have evolved unique anti-snake tactics,” USFWS continues. “They kick sand, heat up their tails to confuse the snake’s heat sensors and throw debris to drive predators away.”
See a ground squirrel vs. a southern Pacific rattlesnake here (and don’t forget to turn your sound on):
Header stock image of a southern Pacific rattlesnake by kevdog818/Getty Images
