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#4 - The Columbian Ground Squirrel
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The Columbian Ground Squirrel, Spermophilus columbianus, is the social creature you'll encounter on the slopes,
or in the meadows and valleys of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon,
Washington, Idaho and Montana. |
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The colourful Columbian Ground Squirrel is identified from other ground squirrels by the white-speckled black, brown and gray fur on its head and back. Its face, chest, nose, underside and legs have reddish-brown fur. It has a short, reddish-black tail and a touch of white around its eyes. |
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Columbian Ground Squirrels are extremely sociable animals, living in large colonies in mountain valleys or high alpine meadows. Here they interact with each other often sniffing and kissing in greeting, and communicate through loud chirps. They feed primarily on the grasses and various plants and parts of plants that they find. They may will also eat carrion, insects and other animal matter. |
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With various chirps and warning calls as well as living in large colonies with escape tunnels, Columbians have developed a system of defence against predators such as birds of prey, coyotes and foxes. |
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Columbian Ground Squirrels spend much of their lives in hibernation. Hibernation starts as early as July and lasts until March or April, or even later in very high elevations. Before hibernation they store seeds and food so they have something to eat when they wake up. |
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After hibernation mating occurs and females give birth to two to seven young. Upon maturity, the males will gradually leave their birth colonies while females tend to remain. |
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| Dereila Nature Inn Home > Woodlands Pathway > Walking in the Wild > The Columbian Ground Squirrel |
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