California Ground Squirrel

California Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi)

What they look like:

The adults have a mix of gray, light brown and dusky fur. A band of slightly darker fur, flecked with light gray, extends from the head over the middle of the back. The undersides are light buff or grayish yellow.

Where they live:

California Ground Squirrels are found from central Washington through western Oregon, California and into the northern part of Baja California. The squirrel is found in plains, small meadows, tree-covered hillsides, and rocky outcrops.

Click the range map to learn more about the distribution of California Ground Squirrels in Washington.

What they eat:

Their diet is is primarily seed-based, including barley, oats, and acorns. They eat eggs, insects, roots, tubers, seeds, grains, nuts and fruit.

Behavior:

California ground squirrels use their cheek pouches to collect extra food. Like gray squirrels, they cache or store food for future use.

California ground squirrels use a variety of sounds. The make a high-pitched alarm call when they feel threatened. The calling can last several minutes.

California ground squirrels live on the ground and in burrows.

Did you know?

• California Ground Squirrels can live up to 6 years in the wild.
• They give a high pitched alarm call to warn others of predators.
• They create habitat for other animals, such as rodents and snakes, which occupy empty burrows.
• California Ground Squirrels are preyed upon by red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, coyote, fox, badgers, weasels, house cats, dogs, and snakes.

California Ground Squirrel photo by Tim Knight

Animal silhouettes available to purchase »

More information: California Ground Squirrel - Animal Diversity Web

Lima, M. 2003. "Spermophilus beecheyi" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed July 18, 2008 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spermophilus_beecheyi.html.

   
More photos: California Ground Squirrel Photos on the Wildlife Web