Appearance

In comparison to other species of ground squirrel, S. columbianus is one of the largest (Manville, 1959; Elliott 1991). Adult S. columbianus can weigh anywhere from 400 grams to 680 grams,and typically finish growing by their third year (Manville, 1959; Elliott, 1991). The squirrel has a reddish brown head, which then transitions into a grayish or occasionally tawny body. They tailis also gray, and may have some white on the dorsal side. Its body is short and thick, and its tailis moderately bushy (Manville, 1959). The total body length may range from 325 millimeters to410 millimeters (Elliott 1991).

This website was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Biology 323, Animal Behavior, at Davidson College in the Spring Semester 2008.

Please send any comments, questions or suggestions regarding this website to Kevin Cook or Professor Verna Case.