To machinery, pedestrians, and livestock. Burrows and mounds make itĭifficult to mow lawns and other grassy areas, and they present hazards Ground squirrels will gnaw on plastic sprinkler heads and irrigation boxes and lines.īurrowing can be quite destructive. Girdling trunks (completely removing a strip of bark from a tree's outerĬircumference), eating twigs and leaves, and burrowing around roots. They can damage young shrubs, vines, and trees by gnawing bark, In gardens, ground squirrels will eat vegetables in the seedling Particularly vulnerable are grains, as well as nut and fruit trees suchĪs almond, apple, apricot, avocado, orange, peach, pistachio, prune, and walnut.

Ground squirrels damage many food-bearing and ornamental plants. Their home range typically is within a 75-yard radius of their burrow. Ground squirrels usually forage close to their burrows. When annual plantsīegin to dry and produce seed, squirrels switch to seeds, grains, and After emerging from hibernation, they feed almostĮxclusively on green grasses and herbaceous plants. Ground squirrels are primarily herbivorous, and their diet changes Grow rapidly, emerging from the burrow when they are about 6 weeks old.Īt 6 months of age, they resemble adults. The average litter has 5 to 8 young, but litters as small as 1 and as Peak mating occursĬalifornia ground squirrels only produce a single litter per year. January in warmer locations and continues until July. Longer periods and therefore breed later. Populations at higher altitudes and in colder climates hibernate for

Vary depending on weather, elevation, and latitude. The onset of breeding in California ground squirrel populations can The squirrel plugs it with soil near the nest. During these periods, the burrow appears open at the entrance, but Inactivity, called estivation, that can last a few days to a week or Particularly in areas where winters aren't severe.ĭuring the hottest times of the year, most adults go into a period of Ground squirrels hibernate, but some young can be active at this time, Have two periods of dormancy during the year. Midmorning through late afternoon, especially on warm, sunny days. They may be occupied by a single squirrel or occupiedĬalifornia ground squirrels are active during the day, mainly from Burrows can be single tunnels or complexīranching systems. To 3 feet of the surface of the ground, but they may occasionally be up Theirīurrows are about 4 inches in diameter, although older burrow entrancesĬan occasionally be quite a bit larger. For information about tree squirrels, see the UC IPM Pest Notes: Tree Squirrels.Ĭalifornia ground squirrels live in colonial burrow systems where they sleep, rest, rear young, store food, and avoid danger. Whereas tree squirrels will climb a tree or tall structure and never use a burrow. Squirrels) and their ears are erect and conspicuous.Īlthough ground squirrels look similar to tree squirrels and canĬlimb trees, when frightened they generally will retreat to a burrow, Their tails are somewhat bushy (but less so than those of tree California ground squirrels have a white ring around each eye. Theirīelly and underside have a combination of lighter browns, grays, and Is mottled brown, with some white and gray markings on the back. Males are somewhat larger than the females.

Adult squirrels weigh between 21 and 30 ounces. Their body measures 14 to 20 inches, which It is easy to identify ground squirrels since they forage above Sierra Nevada Mountains at altitudes of over 7,000 feet. Where the winters are mild, there are known populations in the central The California ground squirrel can invade and colonize residentialĪreas that have open grassy areas, sometimes causing considerableĪlthough California ground squirrel populations generally thrive River in south central Washington and throughout western Oregon. Is also found in western Nevada and can be found north of the Columbia The California ground squirrel is found throughout most of CaliforniaĪnd extends south into the northwestern part of the Baja peninsula. They are referred to as “California ground squirrel” or simply “ground The twoĪre usually not referred to as separate species, so in this publication The California ground squirrels, Otospermophilus beecheyi and Otospermophilus douglasii,Īre the most common species in and around homes and gardens. Ground squirrels are troublesome rodent pests for many home gardeners. Effective management depends upon understanding the ground squirrel’s life cycle and behavior.Ground squirrels resemble tree squirrels but usually will retreat to their burrows when frightened.Ground squirrels can colonize residential environments that have open grassy areas, causing damage to landscape plants, trees, and irrigation lines.The California ground squirrel is found throughout the state.

Natural predator for squirrels