Mammal · GBIF taxon 7593288
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Callospermophilus lateralisAlso known as Golden-mantled Squirrel, Copperhead Ground Squirrel
Golden-mantled ground squirrels dart across rocky mountain slopes and coniferous forests, gathering seeds and fungi in deep cheek pouches to store for winter. Often mistaken for large chipmunks, these bright-headed rodents completely lack facial stripes and spend up to seven months of the year asleep in underground burrows. Their sharp alarm calls ring out across subalpine meadows to warn nearby neighbors of approaching raptors or coyotes.
MammalHigh AltitudeDiurnal
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Pine seeds
- Fungi
- Insects
Predators
- Hawks
- Coyotes
- Weasels
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, climate change, and predation
HabitatsSubalpine forests, alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and mountain woodlands
Life span4 to 7 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderRodentia
- FamilySciuridae
- GenusCallospermophilus
- SpeciesCallospermophilus lateralis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- May bite if handled and can carry flea-borne diseases; observe safely from a respectful distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Can transmit zoonotic pathogens such as plague via fleas and may deliver a sharp defensive bite if cornered or handled.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a bright russet head and mantle accompanied by bold white and black side stripes, but no facial stripes.
- What to do
- Never touch or feed wild ground squirrels; maintain a distance of a few meters when observing.
Responsible observation
- Observe Distance: Maintain a polite distance, particularly around popular campsites where they search for food.
- Do Not Feed: Refrain from feeding wild ground squirrels, as human foods harm their health and natural foraging habits.
- Watch Burrows: Look near fallen logs and rock piles where these active foragers enter their underground homes.
Look-alike USFWS Pacific Southwest Region, photographer unknown / Public domain · cc0
Competitor (c) Isaac Krone, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Isaac Krone · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Nigel Voaden, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Keep collecting in Fauna
Found in Collections
Species set
Urban Dwellers
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
—/7
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.