14 DAY TRIAL // We like to think of squirrels as cute and cuddly critters that spend their days hopping around eating fruits, nuts and whatever other vegan meals they find in the forest.
The thing is that, as it turns out, squirrels too have a dark side. They are pretty good at keeping it concealed, but now the secret is out.
Earlier this week, while walking around the Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas, US, a ranger by the name of William Legget witnessed a most macabre scene whose protagonists were a squirrel and a dead snake.
Not to prolong the suspense, here's what park ranger William Legget saw: the squirrel was holding the lifeless snake in its paws and eating it.
The ranger snapped a photo of the critter devouring the reptile, and the positively horrifying sight is now making the rounds. You can find it next to this article if you want to have a look at it yourself.
Squirrels have a hearty appetite
In a Facebook post, officials with the US Department of the Interior explain that, although it is true that they usually eat plants, nuts and fruits, squirrels have a hearty appetite and are known to feed on bird eggs and other small animals.
“Rock squirrels eat mostly plant material, fruits and nuts, but don't let their humble appearance fool you. They will also eat bird eggs, lizards and snakes,” the post reads.
As for the critter that park ranger William Legget saw feasting on the dead snake, it appears that it was so hungry at the time that all that was left of the reptile was its bones and the tip of its tail.
“The squirrel devoured most of the snake, bones and all, down to the last two inches,” reads the description accompanying the ranger's photo on the US Department of the Interior's Facebook page.
Well, this settles it then. Better not try to make friends with squirrels or else you might need replacement eyes and fingers.