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Montana Field Guides

Columbian Ground Squirrel - Urocitellus columbianus

Image Copyright and Usage Information
Native Species

Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S5
(see State Rank Reason below)


Agency Status
USFWS:
USFS:
BLM:


 

External Links


Listen to an Audio Sample
Copyright Jeff Rice and the Acoustic Atlas at Montana State University. Audio file courtesy of the Acoustic Atlas at Montana State University (www.acousticatlas.org)
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Species is common across a diversity of habitats within western Montana. If faces no threats.
Columbian Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus columbianus) Conservation Status Summary
State Rank: S5
Review Date = 09/16/2024
See the complete Conservation Status Rank Report
How we calculate Conservation Status Ranks
 
General Description
The Columbian Ground Squirrel is easily distinguished from other Montana ground squirrels by its larger size and distinctive coloration. An average adult weighs more than a pound. Its head and body measure 10 to 12 inches in length. The tail is 3 to 5 inches long and tends to be bushy, particularly when the squirrrel is excited. Reddish-brown fur is found on the nose, forelegs, and hindquarters. The back and upper limbs are mottled gray and brown (Montana Department of Agriculture 1985).

Species Range
Montana Range Range Descriptions

Native

Western Hemisphere Range

 


Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 2248

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

 

(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)



Migration
Non-migratory.

Habitat
Intermontane valleys, open woodland, subalpine meadows, even alpine tundra (Hoffmann and Pattie 1968). Subalpine basins, clearcuts, and other disturbed areas (Ramirez and Hornocker 1981). At high elevations, may use rockslides/forage in meadows. Prefers grasslands and sedges.

National Vegetation Classification System Groups Associated with this Species
Alpine
Alpine - Sparse and Barren
Alpine Bedrock and Scree
Alpine - Vegetated
Alpine Dwarf-Shrubland and Krummholz
Alpine Turf and Fellfield
Forest and Woodland
Deciduous Forest and Woodland
Rocky Mountain Aspen Forest and Woodland
Low Elevation - Xeric Forest and Woodland
Foothills Limber Pine - Juniper Woodland
Great Plains Ponderosa Pine Forest and Woodland
Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine Forest and Woodland
Utah Juniper Woodland
Montane - Subalpine Forest and Woodland
Cedar - Hemlock Forest
Dry Spruce-fir Forest
Interior PNW Douglas-fir Forest and Woodland
Lodgepole Pine Forest
Mesic Spruce-fir Forest
Montane - Subalpine Limber Pine Woodland
Montane Mesic Coniferous (Grand Fir - Douglas-fir - Western Larch) Forest
Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir Forest
Whitebark Pine - Subalpine Larch Forest and Woodland
Shrubland
Arid - Saline Shrubland
Intermountain Semi-Desert Steppe and Shrubland
Foothills - Montane Shrubland
Lowland - Montane Shrubland
Montane - Subalpine Mesic Shrubland
Mountain Mahogany Woodland and Shrubland
Sagebrush Shrubland
Basin and Wyoming Big (Threetip) Sagebrush Shrubland
Mountain Big Sagebrush Shrubland
Grassland
Lowland - Prairie Grassland
Rocky Mountain Low Elevation - Dry Grassland
Montane - Subalpine Grassland
Montane - Subalpine Dry Grassland
Montane - Subalpine Mesic Grassland and Meadow
Wetland and Riparian
Alpine Riparian and Wetland
Alpine - Subalpine Herbaceous and Dwarf-Shrub Riparian and Wetland
Riparian and Wetland Forest
Lowland - Montane Riparian Deciduous Forest
Montane - Subalpine Riparian Forest
Montane Forested Wetland
Riparian Shrubland
Lowland - Montane Riparian Shrubland
Montane - Subalpine Riparian and Seep Shrubland
Wet Meadow and Marsh
Montane Wet Meadow and Marsh
Recently Disturbed or Modified
Harvested Forest
Recently Logged
Insect-Killed Forest
Recent Insect/Disease Damage
Introduced Vegetation
Introduced - Upland Herbaceous Vegetation
Recently Burned
Recently Burned Forest
Recently Burned Sagebrush
Recently Burned Shrubland
Human Land Use
Agriculture
Cultivated Crops, Dryland
Irrigated Agriculture
Pasture/Hay, Dryland
Developed
Developed - Low and Medium Intensity
Developed - Vegetation

Food Habits
In early summer: grasses, leafy vegetation, and bulbs. May increase use of fruits and seeds as season progresses. Uses a small amount of animal matter: insects, fish, carrion.

Ecology
Have an allopatric distribution with S. richardsonii from Canada border south to Madison and Beaverhead Counties, but overlap with S. richardsonii, S. columbianus, and S. armatus in portions of Beaverhead and Madison Counties (Hoffmann and Pattie 1969).

Reproductive Characteristics
Breeding dates vary depending on location/elevation. April at lower elevations. As late as June at higher elevations. One litter per year. Young reach full growth during second season.


References
  • Literature Cited AboveLegend:   View Online Publication
    • Hoffmann, R.S. and D.L. Pattie. 1968. A guide to Montana mammals: identification, habitat, distribution, and abundance. Missoula, MT: University of Montana. 133 p.
    • Montana Dept. of Agriculture, Helena, MT. 1985. The Columbian ground squirrel : Its biology and control.
    • Ramirez, P., Jr. and M. Hornocker. 1981. Small mammal populations in different-aged clearcuts in northwestern Montana. J. Mamm. 62(2):400-403.
  • Additional ReferencesLegend:   View Online Publication
    Do you know of a citation we're missing?
    • Adelman, E.B. 1979. A survey of the nongame mammals in the Upper Rattlesnake Creek drainage of western Montana. M.S. thesis. University of Montana, Missoula. 129 pp.
    • Barash, D.P. 1971. Cooperative hunting in the lynx. Journal of Mammalogy 52(2):480.
    • Barash, D.P. 1973. Habitat utilization in three species of subalpine mammals. Journal of Mammalogy. 54(1): 247-250.
    • Baril, Steven F., and Daniel Sullivan, 1983, Brodifacoum in bait stations for managing Columbian ground squirrels. Tech. Rep. 83-2. December 1983.
    • Betts, B.J. 1973. The adaptiveness of the social organization of a population of columbian ground squirrels (Spermophilus columbianus). Ph.D. dissertation University of Montana, Missoula. 235 pp.
    • Buck, C.L. 1939. Pattern correlation of mammalian teeth as a means of identification. M.Sc. Thesis. Bozeman, Montana: Montana State University. 55 p.
    • Burnett, G.W. 1981. Movements and habitat use of American Marten in Glacier National Park, Montana. M.S. Thesis. University of Montana. Missoula. 130 pp.
    • Dice, L.R. 1923. Mammal associations and habitats of the Flathead Lake Region, Montana. Ecology 4(3): 247-260.
    • Douglass, Richard J., DMI Ecological Research, Butte, MT., 1995, Small animals potentially living in the proposed Cottonwood Mining Area. August 1995. In Gem River Corporation Application for Operating Permit and Plan of Operations. Marc I Mine, Dry Cottonwood Creek, Deer Lodge County, Montana. Vol. 2, Apps. App. L. No date.
    • Elliot, C.L. and J.T. Flinders. 1991. Spermophilus columbianus. Mammalian Species 372:1-9.
    • Farmer, Patrick J., and Thomas W. Butts, Western Technology & Eng., Inc., Helena, MT., 1994, McDonald Project Terrestrial Wildlife Study, November 1989 - November 1993. April 1994. In McDonald Gold Project: Wildlife & Fisheries. [#18]. Seven-up Pete Joint Venture, Lincoln, MT. Unpub. No date.
    • Farmer, Patrick. J., et al., Western Technology and Eng., Inc., Helena, MT., 1984, Montana Tunnels Project Baseline Terrestrial Wildlife Study. December 14, 1984. In Application for a Hard Rock Operating Permit, Montana Tunnels Project, Jefferson County, Montana. Vol. 3. Environmental Baseline Reports. (Centennial Minerals, Inc., Hydrometrics, 1984?)
    • Foresman, K. and C. Henderson. 1992. Summary report: small mammal populations in harvested and mature douglas-fir stands: Rivulet Site 1991. [report submitted to Intermtn. Res. Station, For. Sci. Lab.]. Missoula, MT. 14 pp.
    • Foresman, K.R. 2001. The wild mammals of Montana. American Society of Mammalogists, Special Publication Number 12. Lawrence, KS. 278 pp.
    • Foresman, K.R. 2012. Mammals of Montana. Second edition. Mountain Press Publishing, Missoula, Montana. 429 pp.
    • Fowle, S. and J. Ashley. 1994. Interactions between park visitors and mountain goats at Logan Pass and Oberlin Bend in Glacier National Park, Montana. 1994 Monitoring results and recommendations. Resource Management, Glacier National Park. 67 p.
    • Hoffmann, R.S., P.L. Wright, and F.E. Newby. 1969. The distribution of some mammals in Montana. I. Mammals other than bats. Journal of Mammalogy 50(3): 579-604.
    • Johnson, L.J. 1960. Mammal studies on the Lubrecht Forest, Montana: a preliminary report. Proc. Mont. Acad. Sci. 20: 40-47.
    • Joslin, Gayle, and Heidi B. Youmans. 1999. Effects of recreation on Rocky Mountain wildlife: a review for Montana. [Montana]: Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society.
    • Key, C.H. 1979. Mammalian utilization of floodplain habitats along the North Fork of the Flathead River in Glacier National Park, Montana. M.S. thesis. University of Montana, Missoula.
    • Koeppl, J.W. and R.S. Hoffman. 1981. Comparative postnatal growth of four ground squirrel species. Journal of Mammalogy. 62(1): 41-57.
    • Koeppl, J.W., R.S. Hoffmann and C.F. Nadler. 1978. Pattern analysis of acoustical behavior in four species of ground squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy. 59(4): 677-696.
    • Malloy, J. C. 1981. The effect of 1080 baiting on Columbian Ground Squirrels and nontarget mammal and bird populations. M.S. Thesis. University of Montana, Missoula. 65 pp.
    • Manville, R. H. 1959. The columbian ground squirrel in northwest Montana. J. Mammal. 40:26-45.
    • Martin, Steve A., ECON, Inc., Helena, MT., 1982, Flathead Project Wildlife Report, 1981-1982. November 30, 1982.
    • Mont. Dept. of Agriculture., 1988, Managing ground squirrels with bait stations. Inform. Bul. No. 5.
    • Montana Dept. of Agriculture, Environmental Management Division, Helena, MT. 1885? The Biology and control of the Richardson ground squirrel.
    • Montana Dept. of Livestock., 1977, Special local need registration application for sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) grain bait to control Columbian ground squirrel damage in western Montana. May 18, 1977.
    • Montana Tunnels Mine, Inc., Jefferson City, Helena, MT., 1988?, Application for an Amendment to the Montana Tunnels Operating Permit for the Prickly Pear Water Supply System, Jefferson County, Montana.
    • OEA Research, Helena, MT., 1982, Beal Mine Wildlife Report. June 17, 1982.
    • Oechsli, L.M. 2000. Ex-urban development in the Rocky Mountain West: consequences for native vegetation, wildlife diversity, and land-use planning in Big Sky, Montana. M.Sc. Thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman. 73 p.
    • Ramirez, Pedro, Jr. 1977. Small Populations in Different-Aged Clearcuts and Uncut Forests in Northwestern Montana. M. S. thesis. 72 pp.
    • Reichel, J.D. 1976. Coyote-prey relationships on the National Bison Range. M.S. thesis. University of Montana, Missoula. 86 pp. plus appendices.
    • Reichel, J.D. 1986. Habitat use by alpine mammals in the Pacific Northwest. Arctic and Alpine Research. 18(1): 111-119.
    • Reid, F. 2006. Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America, 4th Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston and New York, 608 pp.
    • Rust, H. J. 1946. Mammals of northern Idaho. J. Mammal. 27(4): 308-327.
    • Sullivan, Daniel, 1982, Bait stations as a means of rodenticide presentation to control Columbian ground squirrrels. Technical Rep. 82-3. Sept. 1982.
    • Sullivan, Daniel, 1982, Determination of an effective single lethal dose for bromadiolone to Columbian ground squirrels. Tech. Rep. 82-4. Dec. 1982.
    • Sullivan, Daniel, and Monty Sullins., 1985, Acceptance of various rodenticide baits under field conditions by Columbian and Richardson Ground squirrels. Tech. Rep. 85-05. Sept. 1985.
    • Sullivan, Daniel, and Monty Sullins., 1986, Field evaluation of chlorophacinone treated bait for management of Columbian ground squirrels. Tech. Rep. 86-2. September 1986.
    • Sullivan, Daniel, and Steven F. Baril, 1981, A Field efficacy study of strychnine and zinc phosphide grain baits using nontoxic prebait for the control of the Columbian ground squirrel (Spermophilus columbianus). Tech. Rep. 81-2. August 1981.
    • Sullivan, Daniel., 1983, Field evaluation of bromadiolone treated bait for control of the Columbian ground squirrel. Tech. Rep. 83-1. August 1983.
    • Thompson, Richard W., Western Resource Dev. Corp., Boulder, CO., 1996, Wildlife baseline report for the Montana [Montanore] Project, Lincoln and Sanders counties, Montana. In Application for a Hard Rock Operating Permit and Proposed Plan of Operation, Montanore Project, Lincoln and Sanders Counties, Montana. Vol. 5. Stroiazzo, John. Noranda Minerals Corp., Libby, MT. Revised September 1996.
    • Tisch, E.L. 1961. Seasonal food habits of the black bear in the Whitefish Range of northwestern Montana. M.S. Thesis. University of Montana, Missoula. 108 pp.
    • Treiman, E. F. 1982. Evaluation of fluoride in vegetation and mammals in the Garrison, Montana area. M.S. thesis. University of Montana, Missoula. 79 pp.
    • Turner, L. W. 1972. Habitat differences between Spermophilus beldingi and S.columbianus in Oregon. J. Mammal. 53(4):914-917.
    • Tweten, R.G. 1984. Baseline survey of furbearing mammals within the South Fork drainage Sun River, Montana. M.Sc. Thesis. Bozeman, MT: Montana State University. 63 p.
    • Tyser, R.W. 1980. Use of substrate for surveillance behaviors in a community of talus slope mammals. The American Midland Naturalist 104(1): 32-38.
    • Tyser, Robin W. 1978. Foraging and substrate use patterns in talus slope mammals. PhD Dissertation. University of Wisconsin-Madison. 142pp.
    • Weckwerth, R.P. 1957. The relationship between the marten population and the abundance of small mammals in Glacier National Park. M.S. thesis. University of Montana, Missoula. 76 pp.
    • Western Technology and Engineering, Inc. (WESTECH), Helena, MT., 1994, Terrestrial Wildlife Reconnaissance: Interim Report. Golden Sunlight Mines, Inc., Oxide Expansion. February 1994.
    • Zackheim, K. 1973. Exhibit H: Wildlife Study. In Ash Grove Cement Co. files.
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Citation for data on this website:
Columbian Ground Squirrel — Urocitellus columbianus.  Montana Field Guide.  .  Retrieved on , from