Ground Squirrel vs. Southern Pacific Rattlesnake

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.

“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.”

[RELATED: ‘Watch Your Hands’: Two Rattlesnakes Hang out in Pool Filter]

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):

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.

“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.”

[RELATED: ‘Watch Your Hands’: Two Rattlesnakes Hang out in Pool Filter]

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):