Spermophilus townsendii
(Townsend's Ground Squirrel)

Description:
This rather small ground squirrel is quite plain looking, appearing dappled gray above with an underside of white or buff. They have a rather short tail. This species can have a reddish tint on their face, hind legs, and the underside of their tail. Total length is 6.5 to nearly 11 inches (167-271 mm), tail length is 1 ¼ to 2 ¾ inches (32-72 mm), and they weigh 4 ½ to 11 ½ ounces (128-325 g).

Range:
From south-central Washington and southern Idaho, south to eastern Oregon, extreme eastern California, most of Nevada, and western Utah.

Habitat:
Found mainly in shrub steppe, in well-drained soils (especially on embankments), in sagebrush, shadscale, or greasewood. Often found around desert springs and irrigated fields. It may occur in dense populations in irrigated areas.

Diet:
Feeds mainly on herbaceous vegetation and seeds, but may also eat some shrub parts and animal matter. Will often feed on crops.

Ecology:
They hibernate and may aestivate. They emerge from dormancy (males before females) in late winter or early spring (in Idaho, in early spring when first green grass is available). They return to dormancy during May-July (early or middle July in Idaho), when grasses dry out; but they may have a separate period of activity in the fall. They are diurnal, but most active in the early morning. They dig an extensive burrow system and are known to use both shallow and deep burrows. Population density in a southern Idaho study was estimated at 3 to32 per 2.5 acres (1 ha), excluding juveniles. Their mean home range has been estimated at 1500 square feet (1357 m2). They may form colonies, but families and individuals live separately. Compared to other ground squirrels, they have high reproductive potential, but low adult survivorship. In Idaho, they are heavily preyed upon by both raptors and badgers within the Snake River Birds of Prey Area (BOPA). They are most likely preyed on by rattlesnakes and coyotes as well. Recent studies at the BOPA have investigated habitat, behavior, and parasites. Its been reported that Piute Indians in Nevada used them for food and they would travel miles to find populations of them. They are known to dig two burrows, a rather shallow one in feeding areas which probable serves as an escape burrow, and a much deeper and longer one that appears to be their nest burrow. Their burrow entrances usually have 4 to 6 inch piles of dirt surrounding them.

Reproduction:
Breeds from late January-early March, depending on locality. Drought may suppress breeding. Gestation lasts 24 days. Female produces 1 litter of typically 5-10 young/yr. Males mature as yearlings or as 2-yr olds; females breed as yearlings.

Conservation:

Status:	Unprotected nongame species
Global Rank:	G5
State Rank:	S5

Important State References:
Smith, G. and D.R. Johnson. 1985. Demography of a Townsend ground squirrel population in southwestern Idaho. Ecology 66:171-178.