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Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Mammals Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)

General: Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels (Callospermophilus lateralis) are day active and often are seen around campgrounds and picnic areas at higher elevations around Las Vegas. The head and shoulders are reddish-golden (hence the "golden mantle"), and there is some reddish on the flanks and tail. Except for a white eyering, the face is unmarked, a characteristic that separates Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels from chipmunks. The middle of the back and the belly are gray, and the sides are marked with black and white stripes. The black on the sides is dark black; compare with Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels.

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels are medium-sized ground squirrels. The head and body are about 6-8 inches long, and with a 4-inch tail, they have a total length of 10-12 inches.

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)

Taxonomy: Formerly Spermophilus lateralis.

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels live in montane communities in the upper Transition (Yellow Pine Forest), Canadian (Pine-Fir Forest), Hudsonian (Bristlecone Forest), and Alpine Tundra (Alpine) life zones.

Around Las Vegas, look for Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels up on Mt. Charleston and in the Sheep Range (Desert National Wildlife Range).

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
This guy has too many seeds stuffed in his cheeks
Note the (1) golden color on the head and shoulders, (2) lack of facial stripes, and (3) white stripe bordered on both sides by black stripes.
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel in Great Basin NP
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel in Great Basin NP
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis) Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis) Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis) Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Feeding on forbs
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
In one end -- out the other: notice scat on rock
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis) Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Pale squirrel in southern Colorado
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Pale squirrel in southern Colorado
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Bright squirrel during winter in central Oregon
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Bright squirrel during winter in central Oregon
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Lactating female
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Lactating female
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Vacuuming up birdseed
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Stuffing in one more sunflower seed
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis) Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel with its face in a hole
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Juveniles show typical adult color patterns, but the colors are dull
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Siblings just starting to explore a brave new world
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Juvenile
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Juvenile

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 231222

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