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Biology 250
Golden Mantled Ground-Squirrel
Callospermophilus lateralis
Description
The golden-mantled ground squirrel is a small chipmunk-like squirrel with grayish-brown fur on top with two white stripes bordered by black stripes on its sides. It has a lighter underside. Its head, face, front paws and chest are a coppery red.
Habitat
The golden-mantled ground squirrel can be found in coniferous and mixed coniferous-hardwood forests. It is common in mountainous areas up to the timberline. It can be found in places with rocky meadows and in sagebrush areas.
Diet
The golden-mantled ground squirrel eats seeds, nuts and fruits. A large part of its diet is made up of piñon nuts. It also eats green plants, some insects and underground fungi. In the fall, the golden-mantled ground squirrel puts on a layer of fat. It hibernates from October to May. It has cheek pouches that it uses to carry food. It takes food to its den and stores it to eat in the spring when it wakes up. It also may wake up a couple of times during hibernation and eat the stored food. It makes its den near or under a tree or log. Its den isn't dug very deep, but it can stretch as long as 100 feet.
Behavior
The golden-mantled ground squirrel cleans itself by rolling in the dirt and combing its fur with its teeth and claws.
Urocitellus richardsonii
Description
Crown and black smoky grey, back with fine bands of buffy speckling; pale biffy or whitish below; edges and underside pf tail buffy.
Habitat
grasslands near water
Diet
Richardson's ground squirrels primarily eat leaves, flowers and seeds, though the precise type of vegetation eaten depends on where they live. Forage grasses and legumes are major food items on overgrazed pastures in eastern North Dakota.
