California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi)

(Otospermophilus beecheyi)

Gray Digger

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Gray Digger

Watching from the shadows

The California Gray squirrel is common in California and Oregon and has invaded parts of southern Washington. A seed eater, it digs underground burrows and favors stump and brush piles. Families will live in a burrow complex. Although burrows may be out in open, more often they are in a somewhat protected area. They usually stay pretty close to the burrow and when disturbed head for the burrow quickly. They store seeds in the burrow when available, and hibernate in the burrow in the winter.

It is common for them to sit up and look. As here they blend in well, and sit perfectly still.

Formerly placed in Spermophilus, as Spermophilus beecheyi, it was reclassified in Otospermophilus in 2009 as it became clear that Spermophilus as previously defined was not a natural (monophyletic) group. A full species account was published for this species in 2016.

Additional information: see Wikpedia - California ground squirrel