GAP Analysis Predicted Distribution Map

Columbian Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus columbianus)

Species Code: SPCO

Legend: = Core Habitat = Marginal Habitat Breeding Range Map The green area shows the predicted habitats for breeding only. The habitats were identified using 1991 satellite imagery, other datasets and experts throughout the state, as part of the Washington Gap Analysis Project. Click to enlarge distribution map Map with historical museum records Other maps & Information: NatureMapping observations throughout the year Species Comparison maps

Occurs from lowlands to alpine zones in grasslands, pastures, uncultivated fields, fence row corridors between cultivated fields, the small steep rocky patches that are found on the sides of loess slopes in the Palouse, dense mid-elevation forests, openings in the Hudsonian zone, and wet meadows and grasslands above tree line. Also found in the easternmost steppe, the Blue Mountains, the northeastern hills, and northeast Cascades.

Core zones east of the Okanogan Valley included the eastern steppe zones (the Palouse, the Blue Mountain Steppe, Canyon Grasslands, Bunchgrass/Fescue, and Big Sage/Fescue) and all forest zones of the Blue Mountains and northeastern Washington except for the Interior Western Hemlock and Interior Redcedar, which were peripheral. In the Northeast Cascades, Alpine/Parkland and Subalpine Fir were core. Good habitats in core forested zones below Alpine/Parkland were low density development, agriculture, non-forested, and open forest.

Translated from the Washington Gap Analysis Mammal Volume by Dave Lester
Webpage designed by Dave Lester