This cute squirrel hides a secret: It’s a vicious predator

The California ground squirrel seems innocent. A familiar sight to hikers, the plump rodent can often be seen contentedly chewing on grasses, seeds and berries.

But according to new research published on Wednesday in the Journal of Ethology, wildlife biologists have documented a fierce feature of the creature: It is a committed carnivore, hunting and feasting on unlucky little voles.

Like a rodent version of the notoriously violent 1969 film “The Wild Bunch,” extensive video footage...