Ace Hardware's Wildlife Spotlight: Golden-mantled ground squirrel

(Spermophilus lateralis)

Golden-mantled ground squirrels are about 9-12 inches long and have chipmunk-like stripes and coloration except on their faces. Also like chipmunks, they have cheek pouches for carrying food. Their shallow burrows can be up to 100 feet in length with the openings usually hidden in hollow logs, under boulders or tree roots.

Golden-mantled ground squirrels are traditional hibernators, building up body fat to survive through winter, but again like chipmunks, they have also been known to store food in their burrows for spring. Their most common predators are hawks, jays, weasels, foxes, bobcats and coyotes.

What they eat: Seeds, nuts, berries, insects and underground fungi.

Where they live: Various habitats across North America: forests, rocky meadows and even sagebrush flat areas.

Claim to fame: Similarities in coloring and behavior to chipmunks.

Source: Wikipedia