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Small mammals
Columbian ground squirrel
Columbian ground squirrel · Urocitellus columbianus
The Columbian ground squirrel lives in open landscapes, where in summer it darts alertly through the grass, letting out piercing whistles.
Fact file
- Size
- 30 cm long, weighing 350–700 g
- Males and females
- Females slightly heavier; otherwise barely any visible difference
- Sounds
- Piercing whistles and trills when alarmed
- Diet
- Herbs, grasses, leaves and occasionally insects
- Offspring
- 2–9 young are born in late spring after a gestation period of about 1 month
How to identify Columbian ground squirrel
The Columbian ground squirrel is a medium-sized rodent with a stocky body and a short tail. At first glance its fur appears inconspicuously grey-brown and mottled, but on the back and flanks it is flecked with light and dark speckles that provide good camouflage on rocky or grassy ground.
The Columbian ground squirrel reaches a length of about 30 centimetres and in summer usually weighs between 350 and 700 grams. Striking features are its short, powerful legs, perfectly suited for digging, as well as the only slightly bushy, black-and-white patterned tail.
More in the app
With Wildful Stories+ you also get in the app:
- general viewing tips
- one place where you can see Columbian ground squirrel
Where Columbian ground squirrel live
Discover Columbian ground squirrel on your trip.
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