Columbian Ground Squirrels
(Spermophilus columbianus)
adult male
adult female
Both males and females collect dry grass and leaves for their burrows.
Females are very secretive about their nest burrows. Few days prior to giving birth they start plugging burrows with dirt from inside and then arrange grass from outside to camouflage the entrance.
plugged burrow in the center
Pups are born with closed eyes and ears. They do not leave their nest burrow for the first 27 days.
1 day old babies
By the time pups are 2 month old, they are self sufficient.
2 month old female with unusual nose coloration
Sometimes badgers (left) or bears (right) dig
squirrels up from their burrows.
If given an opportunity,
squirrels like to take their own notes
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