A seagull swallowing a whole squirrel is a documented but unusual behavior that has gone viral in videos and sparked public shock. Experts explain that seagulls are opportunistic omnivores and scavengers known to eat a wide variety of food, including fish, insects, other birds, small mammals, and even garbage. While seagulls do not typically hunt live squirrels—since they lack talons to hold and kill them—it is likely that the squirrel was already dead or incapacitated when the seagull consumed it whole

. Seagulls have specialized digestive systems with gizzards that allow them to swallow large prey whole and later expel indigestible parts as pellets, so eating something as large as a squirrel does not harm them internally. Their "cast iron stomachs" enable them to handle such meals without digestive issues. After swallowing the squirrel, the seagull can still fly, though it may have to compensate for the extra weight temporarily

. In summary, while it may seem gruesome or surprising, a seagull eating a whole squirrel is within the scope of their scavenging behavior and digestive capability, especially if the prey is already dead or weak