Richardson’s Ground Squirrel

Spermophilus richardsonii is a colonial, semifossorial rodent of western North America, occupying montane and valley meadows toward the southern end of its range in Colorado and the high plains toward its northern limit in Alberta. These hibernators are active from late March into August. Males emerge first in the spring, all adults immerge in July, and juveniles are active into August. ¹ Energy reserves (body lipid levels) decline throughout hibernation and immediately after emergence, but increase throughout the active season. ² Males are territorial during the mating period immediately after emergence; however, this territoriality is superseded by that of the females during gestation and lactation. ³