We have a family of marmots on our property, and the two new young ones are of course very adventurous, exploring the surroundings. I see them foraging around throughout the day, and sometimes they pick up a slice of apple the deer missed.
Today, I saw one on its hind legs chewing on what I thought was a piece of apple. It held it between its front paws while standing on its back legs, but something didn't look right so I grabbed a pair of binoculars for a better look. It was only about 30 yards away but couldn't identify what it was eating until I got "up close" with 8X.
It was eating a dead bird! It was chowing down on a sparrow's head. It then proceeded to eat the entire bird, leaving only feathers.
I know squirrels will eat meat, and many dozens have met their demise in my marten traps over the years trying to get at beaver meat but had no idea marmots ate meat.
Anyone else ever see this behavior?

I think its just like a salt lick. Wanted the minerals in there.

I've seen deer eating , licking. dead jack rabbits before .....fresh kill .no rot

Makes sense, rabbits will eat meat and I have seen prairie dogs grab their shot counterparts and drag them off into a hole. Rodents are like that.

Rodents of all kinds will eat anything that comes their way, I have seen them out in the street eating spilled garbage as well as fresh roadkill

So I don’t think it’s the salt

Besides some mentally disturbed humans, all mammals at least occasionally eat meat, especially when you consider placenta and amniotic sacks.

Keith