Richardson's Ground Squirrel

Coat and looks how to spot one

Short, dense fur; short, slim tail

A stocky ground squirrel around 28 to 31 cm long, with short, dense fur that is cinnamon buff to brown above and lighter below. Its tail is shorter and less bushy than in most ground squirrels, and its tiny ears sit almost flush with the head. Males are larger than females. Captive animals typically live 2 to 4 years and sometimes 5 to 7.12

Personality what they are like

An alert, watchful ground squirrel that sits up to scan its surroundings and flicks its tail constantly. Females form close lifelong bonds with their relatives, and the species is very vocal when it spots danger.12

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Strictly active by day and an energetic digger. In the wild it is above ground only a few months a year and spends most of its life hibernating, so its activity changes strongly with the seasons.21

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Needs no brushing. Give deep material for digging and burrowing, and expect large seasonal changes in appetite and weight.21

Home where they are happiest

Naturally semi-fossorial, digging burrow networks with chambers, passages and several entrances in short-grass areas. A secure, escape-proof enclosure with deep substrate to dig in suits it.2

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Mainly plant-based (around 90%): leaves, flowers, seeds, grasses, legumes and grains such as wheat, barley and oats, with some insects such as crickets and grasshoppers.21

Company who they like around

Lives in colonies built around related females. Males disperse from where they were born.12

The story where it all began

The species was described by Edward Sabine in 1822 and named after the Scottish naturalist Sir John Richardson. It is closely tied to the northern prairies, where North Dakota took the nickname 'Flickertail State' from it, and it has more recently entered the exotic pet trade.1

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Wild species assessed as Least Concern1