Belding's Ground Squirrel

Being native to the northwestern United States, the Belding's ground squirrel ranges covers northeastern Oregon and part of Washington, north California, southwestern Idaho, north and central Nevada and northwestern Utah. These animals are most abundant at higher altitudes, occurring in alpine and subalpine meadows. They also inhabit sagebrush flats, brush/grass habitats and cultivated areas at lower elevations. The grounds squirrels are largely restricted to open areas with enough fresh vegetation and water. They do not live in dense forests, tall grasses, rocky slopes, or thick shrubbery, as they cannot watch for predators. In addition, they do not prefer grass that is too short, as they cannot hide from predators.

Belding's ground squirrels have a largely herbivorous diet. However, they will also eat insects, carrion, other vertebrates, and even other ground squirrels. They mostly eat flowers and seeds. They also eat nuts, grains, roots, bulbs, mushrooms, and green vegetation. Belding's ground squirrels do not keep food in caches. Instead, they store fat reserves. As such, the ground squirrels eat large quantities of food before hibernation, doubling their body weight. They spend as much as 40% of the summer eating. When eating, the ground squirrel feeds itself with its front paws while standing on its back paws.