# Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (*Callospermophilus saturatus*) The Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel is a small, friendly creature with a golden-brown coat and a cute little face. They love to dig and play in the grass, making them fun to watch in their natural habitat. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Golden-Mantled_Ground_Squirrel%252C_Mount_Rainier%252C_July_2006.jpg&width=800) Photo: K.lee . Nominated for FP by Arad ., CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Golden-Mantled_Ground_Squirrel%252C_Mount_Rainier%252C_July_2006.jpg) ## Appearance The Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel has a striking golden or coppery-red head and shoulders, extending down its back. Its sides feature prominent white stripes bordered by thin black lines, contrasting sharply with its greyish-brown body. Unlike chipmunks, it lacks stripes on its face. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Callospermophilus ## Interesting facts - Their calls often sound more like a bird's chirp than a squeak! - These squirrels hibernate for over half the year! - They can climb trees, even though they mostly live on the ground! - They use their bushy tails to balance like tightrope walkers! ## Special abilities - **Expert Burrower:** Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels can dig extensive burrows because of their strong claws that help them create homes and hideouts. - **Cheek Pouch Packer:** Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels can store food in cheek pouches because these stretchy sacs help them carry many seeds to their burrow for winter. - **Hibernation Master:** Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels have a unique ability to hibernate because their bodies slow down to survive cold winters without food. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 23-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.175-0.35 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-7 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 4-6 - **Gestation:** 28-30 days ## Diet & Feeding These omnivores munch on plants, seeds, and insects found in their mountain homes. - **Primary Foods:** seeds, berries, fungi, insects, green vegetation - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Coyotes hunt these squirrels for food. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Hawks prey on squirrels from above. - **Depends on:** [Lodgepole Pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lodgepole-pine) (*Pinus contorta*) — Squirrels rely on pine seeds for food. - **Eats:** [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus campestris*) — Squirrels forage for fungi on the ground. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch squirrels from a distance and don't try to feed them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel? 23-30 cm ### How much does Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel weigh? 0.175-0.35 kg ### How long does Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel live? 2-7 years ### How fast can Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel move? 25 km/h ### What does Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel eat? These omnivores munch on plants, seeds, and insects found in their mountain homes. ### Where is Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [E.C. Manning Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-c-manning-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Paradise Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/paradise-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District - [Sunrise Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sunrise-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District - [White River Entrance](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/white-river-entrance) — Washington, US · Historic District - [Yakima Park Stockade Group](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/yakima-park-stockade-group) — Washington, US · Historic District [View all places to see Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cascade-golden-mantled-ground-squirrel) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cascade-golden-mantled-ground-squirrel)