Columbian ground squirrel

The Columbian ground squirrel (Urocitellus columbianus) is a stout, short-furred ground squirrel found in mountainous terrain and high plains of western Canada and the northwestern United States, from western Alberta and southeastern British Columbia through western Montana, central Idaho, eastern Washington and east-central Oregon. It is the second largest member of the genus Urocitellus, behind the Arctic ground squirrel, and measures roughly 325 to 410 mm in total length, with tawny fur across the bridge of the nose. The animals are social and live in colonies, hibernate for eight to nine months a year in burrows that may be reused for many years, and emerge in spring emaciated. Their most common activity above ground is standing at attention, and social meetings sometimes begin with kissing behaviour. The species first came to the attention of science through the writings of Lewis and Clark. It lives between about 210 and 2,440 metres in elevation.