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California Ground Squirrel - Spermophilus beecheyi

Characteristics
Range
Habitat
Diet
Life Cycle
Behavior

 Classification

 Phylum: Chordata
 Class: Mammalia
 Order: Rodentia
 Family: Sciuridae
 Genus: Spermophilus


California Ground Squirrel

ICUN Redlist - World Status: Least Concern Least Concern  
  Characteristics
California Ground SquirrelThe California ground squirrel has brownish-gray fur with cream spots and flecks on its back. It has a darker gray color that runs from its head down to the middle of its back. Its shoulders and the side of its head are a lighter gray. It is about 18 inches long and has a white underside, a long bushy tail and big eyes.

  Range

mapThe California ground squirrel can be found in south central Oregon, western Washington and most parts of California.

  Habitat
The California ground squirrel can be found in open areas including fields, pastures and lightly wooded areas.
  Diet
The majority of the California ground squirrel's diet is made up of plant parts like leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, berries and fruits. Occasionally, it will eat insects and small animals.
  Life Cycle
Mating season is in the early spring right after the ground squirrels emerge from hibernation. Gestation lasts a month. The female will have five to eight babies in a nest in the ground or in a rock pile. The babies will leave when they are about eight weeks old.

  Behavior
California Ground SquirrelThe California ground squirrel is diurnal, that means it is most active in the daytime. It lives in colonies, but the squirrels tend not to socialize with each other. Several squirrels may share a burrow, but they each will have their own entrance. Burrows are made under a tree, log or rock. The California ground squirrel can climb trees, but it spends most of its time on the ground.

 


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