# Columbian Ground Squirrel (*Urocitellus columbianus*) Columbian Ground Squirrels are playful little animals that live in the grasslands. They love to dig burrows and can often be seen playing with their friends in the sunshine. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Columbian Ground Squirrel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Urocitellus_columbianus_Alberta_Martybugs.jpg&width=800) Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Ucucha assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Urocitellus_columbianus_Alberta_Martybugs.jpg) ## Appearance The Columbian Ground Squirrel has a stocky body covered in grayish-tan fur, often mottled with darker spots that give it a speckled appearance. It features reddish-brown patches on its face and shoulders, and a relatively short, bushy tail that is darker on top. Its markings help it camouflage within rocky and grassy habitats. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Urocitellus ## Interesting facts - Their underground burrows have special "escape tunnels" to trick predators! - These squirrels can get all the water they need just from eating juicy plants! - They have a special alarm call that tells other squirrels exactly what kind of danger is near! - They stuff their cheeks with food, carrying big meals back to their burrows! ## Special abilities - **Vigilant Sentinel:** Columbian Ground Squirrels can stand tall on their hind legs because this posture helps them survey their surroundings for predators. - **Master Digger:** Columbian Ground Squirrels can dig complex burrows because strong claws and front paws help them create safe underground homes. - **Hibernate Power:** Columbian Ground Squirrels can enter a deep sleep called hibernation that helps them survive cold winters without food. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 25-35 cm - **Weight:** 0.3-0.8 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-6 - **Gestation:** 23-31 days ## Diet & Feeding These furry friends munch on plants, seeds, and even a few bugs! - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Wildflowers, Seeds, Berries, Fungi, Insects - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Red-tailed Hawks hunt ground squirrels from above. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Coyotes prey on squirrels, especially near burrows. - **Eaten by:** [Long-tailed Weasel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/long-tailed-weasel) (*Mustela frenata*) — Weasels are agile enough to follow squirrels into their burrows. - **Eats:** [Big Sagebrush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/big-sagebrush) (*Artemisia tridentata*) — Squirrels forage on seeds and leaves of sagebrush. - **Eats:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — They graze on fresh shoots and seeds of grasses. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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. - [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. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Hibernating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/hibernating): Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity. - [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 from a distance and don't try to touch wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Columbian 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 Columbian Ground Squirrel? 25-35 cm ### How much does Columbian Ground Squirrel weigh? 0.3-0.8 kg ### How long does Columbian Ground Squirrel live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Columbian Ground Squirrel move? 25 km/h ### What does Columbian Ground Squirrel eat? These furry friends munch on plants, seeds, and even a few bugs! ### Where is Columbian Ground Squirrel usually found? Grasslands ### How does Columbian Ground Squirrel hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Great Northern Railway Buildings](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-northern-railway-buildings) — Montana, US · Historic Site - [Bromley Rock Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bromley-rock-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [E.C. Manning Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-c-manning-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Headquarters Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/headquarters-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Kelly's Camp Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kellys-camp-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Kishenehn Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kishenehn-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District [View all places to see Columbian Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/columbian-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: [Columbian Ground Squirrel: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/columbian-ground-squirrel)