California Ground Squirrel

California Ground Squirrel

  Spermophilus beecheyi: photo by Cliff Hutson

I spotted this ground squirrel munching away in a wildflower meadow, surrounded by pink Clarkia and Birds-eye Gilia. While they are said to avoid thick chaparral and deep woods, it is the most widespread squirrel in California and the only one one to be found around the edges of chaparral. As with many other species of both plants and animals, human disturbances such as road cuts, trails, and housing developments have allowed Spermophilus beecheyi to expand its range. 

They forage on more or less open ground, but can and will climb bushes and trees.  As one might expect, they live in burrows which can be 5-200 feet long. The young are born in March or April. My field guide says that they remain underground for six weeks. This seems to be born out by the fact that I usually start seeing little ones around this time each year. They stick close to the opening, but seem to enjoy games of tag and wrestling. Most adult ground squirrels estivate in July and August. I can not say that I blame them, when the temps get in to triple digits I tend to get kind of torpid myself.