Columbian Ground Squirrel ( Spermophilus columbianus )

Columbian Ground Squirrel, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Photograph copyright: Ashley Hockenberry - all rights reserved. Used with permission.

MAMMAL FACTS

Description
The Columbian Ground Squirrel is a stout squirrel with short, dense fur. The nose and face are reddish brown, and there may be some reddish brown around the legs. The back is pale brown with darker brown underfur, and sometimes has some white flecks. The eyes are have a pale buff colored ring round them. The underside is pale brown and the tail is black.

Size
Total length: 32cm - 41c. Tail length 8cm - 11cm.

Environment
alpine meadows, sub-alpine meadows.

Food
roots, bulbs, stems, flowers, seeds, also some insects

Breeding
average litter size is 3 young. The young are blind and have no hair when born. They have hair by 3 days and can walk and climb by 15 days

Range
found in the Rocky mountains west of Montana, Idaho, eastern Washington, central and eastern Oregon. In Canada they are found in south east British Columbia, western Alberta..

Classification

Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Sciuridae
Genus:	Spermophilus
Species:	columbianus
Common Name:	Columbian Ground Squirrel