Idaho Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus)

Southern Idaho ground squirrel in native habitat near burrow
Photograph by Dennis Mackey, USFWS. License: Public Domain. (view image details)

IDAHO GROUND SQUIRREL FACTS

Description
The Idaho Ground Squirrel is dark reddish-gray above, with a mixture of black hairs and yellowish-red banded guard hairs. There is a whitish ring round the eye. They communicate with each other by making high pitched calls. They use underground burrows for shelter, nesting and hibernation.

Size
Length: 20cm - 25cm. Weight: 100g - 300g.

Environment
grassy meadows surrounded by coniferous forest

Food
grasses, leaves, flowers, roots, bulbs and seeds. Also eats some insects.

Breeding
Two to seven young (average 5) are born in underground burrow after a gestation period of about 50 -52 days.

Range
The Idaho Ground Squirrel is found only in west central Idaho, and is the only mammal endemic to Idaho

Conservation Status
The conservation status in the 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals is "endangered".

Classification

Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Sciuridae
Genus:	Spermophilus
Species:	brunneus
Common Name:	Idaho Ground Squirrel

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