Mammals diurnal

Richardson's Ground Squirrel

Urocitellus richardsonii

The 'flickertail' of the prairies, Richardson's Ground Squirrel is a master of the upright alert. Watch as these social sentinels whistle, forage, and build complex underground cities right in your backyard.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Total length 28-35 cm (11-14 in); Weight 200-600g (0.4-1.3 lbs) depending on season.

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Colors

Uniformly tawny or smoky-gray upper body; buff or pale white underside; tail often has a darker edge with white frosting.

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Key Features

Picket-pin stance standing bolt upright on hind legs
Short tail with a characteristic flicking motion
Uniformly colored coat without stripes or spots
Small ears that lie flat against the head

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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Season April - July

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Diet Primarily herbivorous, they forage for succulent grasses, clovers, seeds, and flower heads. They will occasionally supplement their diet with insects or garden vegetables.

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Habitat Open grasslands, suburban lawns, parks, and agricultural fields with well-drained soil for burrowing.

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Behavior

Richardson's Ground Squirrels are highly social and industrious rodents famous for their 'picket pin' posture. This upright stance allows them to scan the flat prairie landscape for predators like hawks, badgers, and coyotes. When a threat is detected, they emit a piercing, high-pitched whistle that alerts the entire colony to retreat into their complex network of underground burrows.

These animals are extreme hibernators, spending the vast majority of their lives underground. Adults may emerge as early as March to breed but often return to hibernation by July or August once they have cached enough fat. This brief window of surface activity makes them a fascinating, if fleeting, addition to any backyard observation project.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of Richardson's Ground Squirrels, camera placement is everything. You want to set your AI camera at ground level, no more than 6 to 10 inches off the dirt. Look for 'sentinel mounds'—the small piles of excavated dirt near burrow entrances. These are prime spots where the squirrels will stop and stand upright to scan the area, providing that iconic 'picket pin' photo op.

Because these squirrels are incredibly fast and twitchy, set your camera to its fastest trigger speed. If your device allows for 'Burst Mode' or 'Photo + Video,' enable it. The squirrels often flick their tails or whistle before diving into a hole, and a multi-shot burst is the only way to catch those split-second behaviors. A wide-angle lens is preferred if you are placing the camera close to a burrow entrance.

Timing is critical for this species due to their long hibernation cycle. In the Northern Great Plains, the best window for activity is between late March and early July. To keep them in the frame longer, you can place a small handful of black oil sunflower seeds or a slice of apple on a flat rock in front of the camera. This encourages them to pause and forage rather than just scurrying past.

Finally, consider the lighting. Since they are strictly diurnal and love the sun, try to position your camera facing North or South. This prevents the harsh midday sun from washing out the tawny details of their fur and avoids lens flare, ensuring the AI can easily identify the species based on its uniform coloration and silhouette.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Richardson's Ground Squirrel.

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

Look for prominent longitudinal stripes and rows of spots on the back; Richardson's are a solid, uniform tawny color.

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Prairie dogs are much larger, more robust, and have a distinct black tip on their tail.

Pocket Gopher

Gophers have tiny eyes, massive front digging claws, and are almost never seen standing in the open like a ground squirrel.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are strictly diurnal, meaning they are active only during daylight hours. You will see them most frequently during the warmest parts of the day, typically from mid-morning to late afternoon, provided the weather isn't excessively hot.

The best way to attract them is to maintain an open, sunny landscape with low-growing vegetation. They are drawn to bird feeders that drop seeds on the ground, particularly sunflower seeds and cracked corn.

Their diet consists mostly of green vegetation like grass and clover, but they are also heavy seed eaters. In suburban environments, they may occasionally snack on garden vegetables or fallen birdseed.

Yes, they adapt well to suburban environments like parks, golf courses, and large backyards, provided the soil is suitable for digging their extensive burrow systems.

True pocket gophers are rarely seen above ground and have large front claws and external cheek pouches. Richardson's Ground Squirrels are frequently seen standing upright and lack the stripes or spots found on other similar squirrel species.

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