Genus Otospermophilus
Otospermophilus is a genus of ground squirrels in the family Sciuridae, containing three species from Mexico and the United States. Otospermophilus was formerly placed in the large ground squirrel genus Spermophilus, as a subgenus or species group. I’ve documented below all three species and several subspecies of this genus
In this gallery:
Baja California Rock Squirrel (Otospermophilus atricapillus)
California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi)
Rock Squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus grammurus)
The California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi), also known as the Beechey ground squirrel,[4] is a common and easily observed ground squirrel of the western United States and the Baja California Peninsula; it is common in Oregon and California and its range has relatively recently extended into Washington and northwestern Nevada. 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.[5] A full species account was published for this species in 2016.
The squirrel's upper parts are mottled, with the fur containing a mixture of gray, light brown and dusky hairs. The shoulders, neck and sides are a lighter gray. The fur around the eyes is whitish. The underside is lighter, buff or grayish yellow. Head and body are about 30 cm (12 in) long and the tail an additional 15 centimetres (5.9 in). They can weigh from 280 to 738 g (9.9 to 26.0 oz). The tail is relatively bushy for a ground squirrel, and at a quick glance, the squirrel might be mistaken for a fox squirrel.
As is typical for ground squirrels, California ground squirrels live in burrows, which they excavate themselves. Some burrows are occupied communally, but each squirrel has its own entrance. Although they readily become tame in areas used by humans, and quickly learn to take food left or offered by picnickers, they spend most of their time within 25 m (80 ft) of their burrows, and rarely go further than 50 m (160 ft) from it.
In the colder parts of their range, California ground squirrels hibernate for several months, but in areas where winters have no snow, most squirrels are active year-round. In those parts where the summers are hot, they may also estivate for periods of a few days.
California ground squirrels are often regarded as pests in gardens and parks, since they eat ornamental plants and trees. They commonly feed on seeds, such as oats, but also eat insects such as crickets and grasshoppers, as well as various fruits
California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi beecheyi) - Southern California and Coastal California, Pinnacles NM
California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi parvulus) - Joshua Tree National Park, Idyllwild Nature Center San Jacinto National Forest
Fisher’s California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi fisheri) - Carrizo Plains California
California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi nudipes) - Near Ensenada Baja California