Cascade golden-mantled ground squirrel

Cascade golden-mantled ground squirrel Spermophilus saturatus

Cascade golden-mantled ground squirrel Spermophilus saturates

Order Rodentia Rodents

• Animals with 2 upper & 2 lower incisors and no canines
• Of all mammals, has the most number of worldwide species

Family Sciuridae Squirrel Family (tail always completely haired)

Subfamily Sciurinae  Marmots, ground squirrels, chipmunks, & tree squirrels

• Tail usually bushy
• 4 toes on front feet, 5 toes on hind feet
• Internal cheek pouches in ground squirrels & chipmunks)

15 species in the Pacific Northwest of ground-dwelling squirrels that are active during the day & spend the night in underground burrows. Most hibernate for 2/3rds of life.

Most give warning whistle to alert close relatives when a predator approaches.

Habitat: in higher eastside Cascades- pine, fir, & spruce forests. Eats nuts & seeds gathered on the ground. Eaten by hawks, eagles, coyotes, & badgers.

Description: Head & shoulders tawny (yellowish-brown).

Has one white-stripe on each side of back, bordered by 2 black stripes of variable length- that stop at the shoulder (no stripes on face).