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Small mammals
Golden-mantled ground squirrel
Golden-mantled ground squirrel · Callospermophilus lateralis
The nimble golden-mantled ground squirrel stands out immediately in the light forests of North America with its golden-brown neck and striking stripes along its back.
Fact file
- Size
- Body length usually 23–30 cm, weight between 120 and 300 g
- Males and females
- Sexes hard to distinguish by appearance, females slightly smaller
- Sounds
- Loud, sharp chattering as a warning signal in case of danger
- Diet
- Eats seeds, fruit, fungi, insects and occasionally eggs
- Offspring
- One litter per year, usually 4–6 naked young after around 4 weeks of gestation
How to identify Golden-mantled ground squirrel
The golden-mantled ground squirrel is recognisable by its namesake golden-brown neck and the broad white stripes along its back. The back is grey-brown with two black stripes, each bordered by a white stripe. The underside is lighter, almost creamy to white, and the cheeks usually show a delicate orange-golden hue.
With a body length of around 23 to 30 centimetres and a bushy tail of about 10 to 15 centimetres, the golden-mantled ground squirrel looks more compact than a squirrel, similar but a little stockier. Short legs and large dark eyes are typical. The fur looks especially fresh after the spring moult.
More in the app
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- general viewing tips
- one place where you can see Golden-mantled ground squirrel
Where Golden-mantled ground squirrel live
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