I know this is not specifically related to a single Herp, it was pretty fascinating to observe.
So we got a call from the principle at our school that a Ground Squirrel and a Rattlesnake were fighting after the Rattlesnake ate some of the Ground Squirrel babies. We got in the truck and drove over post haste.
What we found was a San Diego Gophersnake and a California Ground Swuirrel locked in a pretty aggressive battle, with the FOUR baby Ground Squirrels regurgitated by the snake next to them. The video attached has some of the contest, with the squirrel really going to town on the snake.
After we got there and determined it was not a Rattlesnake, I picked up the Gophersnake and the Ground Squirrel ran off. I examined the snake for damage - there was quite a bit, but being a firm believer in let nature do what nature does. I walked it up on the hill and let it go under a very larger bush with plenty of places to curl up and heal. I have no doubt that it will, but it’ll be down for a while. I’m hoping to run into it again in a couple of months.