Signs and Characteristics

---

Two ground squirrels are responsible for the majority of the damage in California:

1. California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi and Otospermophilus douglasii)
2. Belding’s ground squirrel (Urocitellus beldingi)

Belding's ground squirrel only lives in northeastern California and is primarily an agricultural pest. Ground squirrel damage in non-agricultural settings is likely due to California ground squirrel.

California ground squirrel (Photo: Monica Dimson/UCCE)

Belding's ground squirrel (Photo: Jack Kelly Clark/UC IPM)

See also: Non-pest species of ground squirrel

	California ground squirrel	Belding's ground squirrel
Size	​Total adult length: 14-20 inches Weight: 21-31 oz ​Males somewhat larger than females	Total adult length: 8.5 inches Weight: 9-19 oz Males somewhat larger than females
Coloring	Mottled, light and dark brown fur with white and gray on their back Belly/underside has a combination of lighter browns, grays, and white	​Brownish-gray to reddish-brown
Markings	White ring around each eye	No stripes, mottling, or markings
Tail	Somewhat bushy,  5.7-9 inches long	Tail is not bushy, 2.5 inches long
Ears	Tall and conspicuous, with some exceptionally long hairs at the tips	Small, not very prominent

Download this table as a PDF

Burrows

California ground squirrel burrows are about 4 inches in diameter, although older burrow entrances can occasionally be quite a bit larger. The length of burrow systems often ranges between 5 and 30 feet. Most burrow systems are within 2 to 3 feet of the surface of the ground, but they may occasionally be up to 6 feet or more in depth. Burrows can be single tunnels or complex branching systems. They may be occupied by a single squirrel or occupied by many. 

Belding's ground squirrel is somewhat less colonial, and its burrows are more widely dispersed. The burrows extend to about 2 feet below ground. Their openings can be widened by predators such as the American badger (Taxidea taxus).  This causes further loss of crops and creates mounds that can damage farm machinery.

Active burrows with food debris (avocado pits) near the entrance (Photo: Monica Dimson/UCCE)

Signs of active burrows:

• food debris and litter (mollusk shells, greens clippings, seeds, etc.)
• tracks and scat
• fresh deposits of soil from burrow

Inactive burrows will have leaves and debris in the entrance (Photo: Monica Dimson/UCCE)

Signs of inactive burrows:

• spider webs
• leaves and debris in entrance

Scats

Ground squirrel scat (feces) is often easy to spot near burrow entrances. It varies in size and shape depending on the moisture content of the ground squirrel’s diet. High moisture content results in a soft, twisted scat with tapered ends. Moist scats can also be clumped together. In areas where the moisture content of the diet is lower, scats are similar to deer pellets: they are often pointed at one end and have a dimple at the other end. 
​
California ground squirrel feces are 0.16-0.3 inches in diameter and 0.24-0.75 inches long. Belding's ground squirrel feces are generally about 0.12 -0.31 inches in diameter and 0.31-0.83 inches in length.