Background

The squirrel species selected for this project are as follows:

Golden Mounted Ground Squirrel
Callospermophilus lateralis

Type of ground squirrel found in mountainous regions. Can be identified by its chipmunk like stripes and coloration but unlike chipmunks it does not have facial stripes.
About 23-30 cms long.




Douglas Squirrel
Tamiasciurus douglasii

Pine squirrel that inhabits pacific coastal states. Their appearance changes from season to season, but one significant quality is that they have a white eye ring.
About 33 cms long.






Northern Flying Squirrel
Glaucomys sabrinus


One of the only two species in the Genus Glaucomys. This species of squirrel is nocturnal. They can be identified by the patagium which is the skin that extends between their arms and legs granting them gliding abilities. they can also be identified by their long whiskers which are typical of nocturnal animals.
Range from 25-37 cms.



Western Gray Squirrel
Sciurus griseus

The western gray squirrel  is a rodent found on the western coast of the USA and Canada. They are typically a shy species and run away from anything. They exhibit a coloration known as counter-shading which means there top is gunmetal grey in color and there underbellies are white. Their tails are also normally very bushy.
about 45-60 cms.


Round Tailed Ground Squirrel
Xerospermophilus tereticaudus

The round tailed ground squirrel lives in the deserts of Southwestern United States. They are called ground squirrels because they typically burrow in soil under trees and bushes. They are a sandy color and have a long round tail and long, hairy hind feet.
They typically range from 8 - 10 inch


Belding's Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus beldingi

This is a medium sized squirrel with short limbs, short tail, and small ears. They can be distinguished by the three color bands on their tail, one black, one white, and one red. It is mostly a cinnamon brown that turns to reddish brown on the underside.
They range from 23-30 cms.




Townsend's Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus townsendii


This squirrel is typically found in high desert shrublands in the United States. This species is listed as vunerable. These squirrels are more short and stocky, and they have a bushy tail. They also have bar like colorings on their back and tail.
they range from 14-18 cms.



White-Tailed Antelope Squirrel
Urocitellus townsendii
This squirrel highly resembles a chipmunk. It is a ground squirrel that is found in arid regions of the Southwestern United States. They can easily be differentiated by their white stripe that flows from the sides or their body all the way to the tail. This squirrel is also omnivorous.
Length 19-24 cms.


Rock Squirrel
Ostospermophilus variegatus

Moderately sized ground squirrel that is found in rocky areas. Although they are a ground squirrel they can easily climb trees just as well as tree squirrels. They are rather shy and difficult to observe from close range.
About 46.8 cms. long



California Ground Squirrel
Ostospermophilus beecheyi
 
This ground squirrel is one of the most common squirrels found in California. They are often cnsiered pests as they feed on ornamental plants in gardens. Some of these squirrels hibernate in the winter if there is heavy snow. They have also developed techniques to differ snakes from eating them.
About 30 cms long.