Habitat

The Columbian Ground Squirrel is found in the Northwestern United States and South Western Canada (Elliott 1991). Specifically, they are found in parts of Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington in the United States. In Canada, they are found largely in British Columbia and on the western edges of Alberta.

Within these regions S. columbianus can be found in alpine and sub-alpine elevations (Turner, 1972). In cases where S. beldingi is present, S. columbianus is found at a higher, wetter, location. However, when S. beldingi is not present, S. columbianus can be found at higher and lower elevations (Turner, 1972). In general though, Columbian ground squirrels are found between elevations of 300 and 2500 meters in generally mountainous terrain (Harris 1982). This alpine and sub-alpine region is a limiting factor on food resources for the squirrel (Harris 1982).

S. columbianus is found primarily in meadow and grassland that is prone to flooding, or is typically wet (Elliott, 1991). The squirrels will move between meadow, and light brush throughout their active season. Some have postulated that this movement between locations could be for social networking, and defense against predators (Weddell 1989). 

Columbian ground squirrels live in self constructed dens. Their burrow system is fairly elaborate and can be wide ranging. The burrow system can expand anywhere from five to seven meters each year (Elliott 1991). Burrow systems are typically used for day to day living, and hibernation, while nesting sites are on the periphery of the burrow system, and were distinctly separated (McLean 1978). Occasionally, a den separate from the active season will be constructed for hibernation (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.