Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel

activity

Activity patterns. The Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel is diurnal and active aboveground from late March to early November, although individuals are usually active for less than c. 4 months, depending on abiotic features of the environment and body condition. Length of hibernation varies with temperature, altitude, and snow depth, but it is usually ¢. 8 months / individual. Hibernation can be delayed by restricted caloric intake. It is able to survive at 0 - 5 ° C aided by a suite of physiological traits to control breathing, ventilation, respiratory diffusion, muscle enzyme profiles, and diet modifications to ingest appropriate lipids that permit continued functioning at low temperatures.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Most often montane and alpine meadows and rocky talus but also various habitats above elevations of 1220 m such as sagebrush steppe, chaparral, and open pinyon — juniper forests. Open forests of pine (Pinus contorta, P. flexilis, and P. ponderosa), spruce (Picea engelmannii), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), all Pinaceae, and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides, Salicaceae). It is an early colonist ofsites deforested by timber harvest or fire, and itis occasionally a nuisance in areas of agricultural crops and forest reseeding.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel excavates modest burrows near structures such as rocks or logs to escape potential predators, nest, and larderhoard overwinter food sources. It can be found in various social settings but is most often in modest densities with home ranges less than 0 - 4 ha; it is solitary but can aggregate in high-quality habitats. Vocalizations are uncommon except for high-pitched alarm calls and rapid tail flagging when stressed by sound, scent, or presence of a predator.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. The Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel inhabits burrows with a vegetation-lined nest chamber in which young are born, but it also uses shallow escape burrows or more substantial hibernacula. Males typically emerge slightly before females in spring. Breeding can begin soon after emergence, although some females may not become receptive until a few weeks after emergence. Gestation lasts 26 - 33 days, after which a litter averaging five young is born; young weigh c ¢. 6 g at birth, are weaned after c. 35 days, and are the last to enter hibernation.

Sciuridae