# Richardson's Ground Squirrel (*Urocitellus richardsonii*) Richardson's Ground Squirrel is a small, playful animal that loves to dig and live in the grasslands. They are known for their cute little faces and can often be seen popping up from their burrows. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Richardson's Squirrel ![Richardson's Ground Squirrel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Richardson's-Szmurlo.jpg&width=800) Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Cszmurlo assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Richardson's-Szmurlo.jpg) ## Appearance The Richardson's Ground Squirrel is a small, stout mammal with short legs and a relatively short, bushy tail. It has a plain, buff-colored body, often with slightly reddish patches on its nose and feet, and a lighter belly. Unlike many ground squirrels, it lacks prominent spots or stripes, giving it a very uniform appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Urocitellus ## Interesting facts - A single squirrel can dig a tunnel system almost 10 meters long! - These squirrels pack food into special cheek pouches to carry it home! - They can seal their burrows from the inside to stay extra safe! - They sometimes move dirt using their nose like a tiny bulldozer. ## Special abilities - **Burrow Builder:** Richardson's Ground Squirrel can dig extensive tunnels because of strong claws that help them create safe underground homes. - **Alarm Whistler:** Richardson's Ground Squirrel has a sharp whistling call that helps them warn others of nearby predators. - **Winter Sleeper:** Richardson's Ground Squirrel can hibernate for many months because it stores fat that helps it survive harsh winters. - **Sentinel Stance:** Richardson's Ground Squirrel has the ability to stand tall on its hind legs that helps them spot danger over tall grass. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 28-35 cm - **Weight:** 0.3-0.8 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 30 km/h - **Litter Size:** 6-10 - **Gestation:** 28-32 days ## Diet & Feeding These furry friends enjoy a varied diet of plants, seeds, and even some insects they find while foraging. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, seeds, forbs, roots, insects - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Coyotes are a primary predator on the prairies. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Hawks hunt these squirrels from the sky. - **Eaten by:** [American Badger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-badger) (*Taxidea taxus*) — Badgers dig into burrows to find them. ## 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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's best to watch these squirrels from a distance so they feel safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Richardson's 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 Richardson's Ground Squirrel? 28-35 cm ### How much does Richardson's Ground Squirrel weigh? 0.3-0.8 kg ### How long does Richardson's Ground Squirrel live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Richardson's Ground Squirrel move? 30 km/h ### What does Richardson's Ground Squirrel eat? These furry friends enjoy a varied diet of plants, seeds, and even some insects they find while foraging. ### Where is Richardson's Ground Squirrel usually found? Grasslands ### How does Richardson's Ground Squirrel hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [ZooMontana](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoomontana) — Montana, US · Zoo - [Fort Buford](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-buford) — North Dakota, US · Historic Site ## 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: [Richardson's Ground Squirrel Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/richardsons-ground-squirrel)