28th May 2008: Squirrels in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is home to several species of squirrels such as California Ground Squirrel, Lodgepole Chipmunk and Douglas Squirrel, each with unique characteristics and behaviors. These photos are California Ground Squirrel. The California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi) is a species of ground squirrel native to the western United States, particularly along the California coast. It is commonly found in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona, inhabiting dry grasslands, rolling hills, forest edges, and even urban parks. It typically measures between 30 and 50 cm (including its tail) and weighs around 280 to 750 grams. Its fur is primarily gray or brown, often with white speckles on its back. While its tail is bushy, it is slightly shorter than that of tree squirrels. Being diurnal, it is most active in the morning and late afternoon. It digs burrows in the ground, forming colonies. Whether it hibernates depends on the altitude of its habitat—those in...