While exploring with his camera in Mata Mata Rest Camp in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Joubert came across something really remarkable, if somewhat gruesome: Southern African Ground Squirrels feeding on the carcass of a Cape Turtle Dove. While it is doubtful the squirrels killed the dove and it isn’t clear how the dove succumbed (probably attacked by a raptor), Joubert captured some really fascinating behaviour, as none of the literature we consulted give any indication at all that ground squirrels will eat meat (other than an occasional hapless insect).
These photos were all taken by Joubert (who turns nine soon).
(Edit 08/08/2018 – The WILD Magazine also did a short piece about Joubert and these photos, have a read here)
(Edit 17/08/2018 – Joubert’s school shared his photos and Wild article on their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Flaerskoolgarsies%2Fposts%2F1830709550376081&width=500 )
DeWetsWild 
Great article in Wild Card and Joubert looked fantastic. Bravo! (As for squirrels I will be a bit more wary around those in our yard 😬😉.)
So glad you caught the Wild’s article – Joubert is quite proud of being featured and well he should be!
I think that soon you’ll be introducing us to the youngest blogger/photographer in the family! great observations of nature!
i wrote a longer comment offline and lost it – grrrrr… i think that squirrels might take advantage of any easy meal op — but wow, that squirrel sure looks funny with bird feet in the image!
………..
ha, and i got home and found this still on the screen… internet is very slow.
thanks for your empathy re the deforestation and fire; cutting continues – this week it’s balsa trees…
Thanks very much, Lisa! A major local magazine with much the same theme as de Wets Wild has actually interviewed Joubert and me about these photos and we’re looking forward to seeing their article!
I’m really heartsore about those beautiful forests of yours being mown down and going up in smoke. Won’t we ever learn!?!?
Please share the article when it’s published! yay! and yes, it’s been difficult, and as you know, there’s a fine balance w/activism… either find positive ways or wait til one can do something that makes a difference.. but doing nothing will never help!
The piece got published today, Lisa – have a look here: http://www.wildcard.co.za/kgalagadi-squirrels-feast-cape-turtle-dove/
seeing that precious and smiling young lad almost made me cry! our world has a chance at pulling out of its crisis when young ones like yours are stepping up to bat. thank you so much for sharing this!
You’ve made my day with your very kind comment -thanks, Lisa!
Wow! I guess the squirrel will eat what he can get! But he’ll have to get in line and wait his turn!
That does make perfect sense – Squirrels are rodents, and rodents will eat whatever’s edible that they come across. Still was most unusual and unexpected to see!
Mooi so Joubert!
Good of you to share Joubert’s observations!
He’s following in the family footsteps! 😉
Dankie AJ – ek sal jou boodskap oordra aan die jongste de Wet!
We once photographed a ground squirrel carrying around and eating a dead finch, at Mabuasehube in Botswana. We also could not find anything commenting on such behaviour and wondered how common it might be.
Thanks for weighing in, Carol – now we know while it is unusual behaviour it isn’t unheard of!
“Wow” doesn’t even begin to cover it! Good work Joubert! Not only are they great photos, but he made a shocking discovery! 😳
I’ll pass your kind compliment to Joubert, thanks Joanne!
This does tarnish the “cutesy” reputation of the squirrels ever so slightly…
Yeah – cutesy with a side of Hannibal Lecter 😳
😀
That squirrel must be hungry. Great photos.
I suppose in the desert you have to make the best of whatever opportunity comes your way!
Pragtige foto’s…alle eer aan Joubert! Dit wys net weereens, ons weet nie alles van die natuur nie. Wat in boeke opgeskryf is, is nie eers die helfte van wat regtig gebeur nie.
Dit was verstommend, Dina, en Joubert was met reg trots oor wat hy gevind het! So kan n 8-jarige ons kennis verbreed!
Hy is bevoorreg om julle wonderlike voorbeeld te hê!
Great shots and what a surprise. This is something I hope you’ll take further and see if others can confirm seeing this happen at other times.
Thanks, Tim. Siobhan has pointed out that this behaviour’s been observed in some North American squirrels, and therefore isn’t foreign to the family. It must be an opportunistic event in any case.
I don’t know a lot about animal behavior but I’m assuming that opportunity does play a factor. Thank you for the added information.
Very nice photos! Joubert is a good photographer!
Would you believe, Deb, that Joubert started taking pictures with one of our old “point-and-shoot” type cameras when he was just 18 months old!?
That’s wonderful! I wish Ben was interested in photography, but he isn’t. He’s quite a little artist but not a photographer. Good for Joubert, and I hope he continues his picture taking!
Those are very good photographs! Way to go Joubert!
Thanks, Montucky! And he was so proud of his find, absolutely couldn’t wait to show us.
Interesting! Though not about that particular squirrel, here’s an article about squirrels eating meat. http://askanaturalist.com/is-eating-dead-birds-normal-for-a-squirrel-or-chipmunk/
Most interesting – thanks for the link, Siobhan!
Great job, Joubert. This is something I’ve never seen.
janet
Seeing a squirrel gnawing on a drumstick honestly had us gasping in surprise!
I can imagine!
Dries, you have some strong competition in Joubert! And he is only 9!
The shared interest in photography and wildlife really brings such joy to us, Hien.
That is very surprising! Joubert is an excellent photographer.
Thanks, Jane – we think so too, but of course we’re biased. 😀