Mammal · GBIF taxon 7905336
Richardson's Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus richardsoniiAlso known as Flickertail, Dakrat, Prairie Gopher
Richardson's ground squirrels are diurnal prairie rodents famous for their constant vigilance and rapid, trembling tail flicks when alarmed. They spend much of the year underground in complex burrow systems, emerging in early spring to mate and forage before entering extended torpor in late summer. Their sharp whistle calls alert entire colonies to approaching aerial and terrestrial predators.
BurrowingSocialDiurnal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Native Grasses
- Seeds
- Insects
Predators
- American Badger
- Swainson's Hawk
- Coyote
ThreatsEradication programs, habitat conversion, and vehicle collisions
HabitatsShortgrass prairie, pastures, edges, and agricultural fields
Life span3–6 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilySciuridae
- SpeciesUrocitellus richardsonii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of giving a sharp bite if cornered; observe safely from a distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Equipped with sharp incisors that can inflict painful bites or scratches if cornered or handled.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Buffy gray coat with a short, dark-tipped tail that flicks when the animal is alert.
- What to do
- Never reach into burrows or try to catch individuals on the surface.
Responsible observation
- Binocular viewing: Watch their characteristic tail-flicking behavior from a respectful distance near burrow mounds.
- Listen for alarm calls: High-pitched chirps indicate the colony has noticed a threat nearby.
- Keep distance: Never offer food, as hand-feeding habituates wild rodents to humans.
Ecological Neighbor (c) Meghan Cassidy, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Meghan Cassidy · cc-by-sa
Predator Yathin S Krishnappa / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Predator Flickr user lostinfog . Photo edited and uploaded to commons by user ltshears / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
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