Uinta Ground Squirrels
Two days ago I photographed something I had never seen or documented when I stopped to take photos of a Uinta Ground Squirrel and it started eating a big, fat earthworm.
It had rained in the mountain canyon the day before and that was obvious by how muddy the road was. It was slick, slippery and even now the wheel wells of my Jeep are encased in a silty, reddish mud. The grasses, sagebrush and other plants next to the road were wet and drops of rainwater clung to them. When the sunlight hit the droplets just right they sparkled like diamonds.
When I spotted a Uinta Ground Squirrel in good light on the west side of the road I carefully pulled over to the far side of the muddy road to photograph it. The ground squirrel looked in my direction then almost immediately grabbed an earthworm and tugged it straight out of the wet ground. It looked to be the biggest, fattest earthworm I’ve ever seen. I guess earthworms grow big in the mountain canyons.
To start a slide show of the images click on the first photo on the gallery above.
I took hundreds of photos of the adult Uinta Ground Squirrel eating the earthworm. The squirrel ignored me and devoured its breakfast.
When the Uinta Ground Squirrel finished eating the earthworm it moved away from the shoulder of the road and out of my view. I was amazed by what I had seen and photographed.
I turned my Jeep back on and started moving up the road again. When I spotted another ground squirrel I stopped to photograph it and when I saw it through my viewfinder I could see that it was just finishing up eating an earthworm too!
The second worm-eating Uinta Ground Squirrel is seen in the last two images of the gallery above.
I’ve photographed Uinta Ground Squirrels hundreds of times and I’d never seen them eating worms. I think the rain the day before caused the ground to be saturated just enough that it brought the earthworms close to the surface where they were easy pickings for the ground squirrels.
Uinta Ground Squirrel showing its tongue – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After the second Uinta Ground Squirrel finished eating it stood up on its hind legs and called while I took photos of it. When I was at home reviewing the photos that I took this image reminded me of people that participate in food eating contests who open their mouths to show the judges that they have swallowed all their food. And I laughed. I felt this photo had to be the last one I shared of this series of the two worm-eating Uinta Ground Squirrels.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Uinta Ground Squirrel photos plus facts and information about this species.
I love Squirrels! And this is a great series. But you’re right, either it’s a small squirrel or a gigantic earthworm! The squirrels certainly were having a feast. I’m still smiling! Thanks for making my Monday morning a little better.
I love Squirrels! And this is a great series. But you’re right, either it’s a small squirrel or a gigantic earthworm! The squirrels certainly were having a feast. I still smiling! Thanks for making my Monday morning a little better.
Wonderful narrative and a truly spectacular series of pics of a Ground squirrel feasting on a big fat juicy worm. Gollum would be so jealous! Thanks Mia.
Last photo,,,not in series—“ I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!”
YUK! When we were kids, a friend used to suck on worms….bad enough…protein or not, not how I’d want to get it…
You are right. That is one humungous worm, and it looks as if the Squirrel relished it down to the last drop.
Wonderful series!
I have seen the Eastern Fox Squirrels eat earthworms. It is becoming a new gardening problem this year for me, they are digging big holes in my gardens where the soil is softer.
The last shot is making me think, “He needs a napkin!” 😀 What a wonderful series!
Well, I guess it needed some protein. Never seen that before, good documentation! I love the open mouth at the end.
Squirrels are not vegan!
Callahan, J. R. (1993) “Squirrels as predators,” Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 53 : No. 2 , Article 5.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol53/iss2/5
Very interesting series of photos! I had never considered that a Chipmunk would eat an Earthworm. You have solid proof. Last year I photographed a squirrel eating a Butterfly which I had never thought of either.
Mia – Interesting behavior! Great photos. Earlier this spring I photographed a Chipmunk eating an Earthworm… I thought how strange as well! Isn’t nature amazing? I enjoy your stories very much. Thanks so much for the time and effort you put into them! Take care.