squirrel

Squirrels

*Least chipmunk*	*Townsend's ground squirrel*
*Washington ground squirrel*	*Yellow-bellied marmot*

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Squirrels

	Common name: Least Chipmunk
	Species: Tammias minimus
	Description: A small chipmunk. color varies: in drier regions it is muted yellow-gray above with dark stripes. In moisture areas it is brown to gray with black side stipes. The belly is gray with long light brown tail.
Habitat: Pastures, piney woods, rocky cliffs and sagebrush deserts. Often abundant in open coniferous forests.	Food: Feeds on seeds, nuts, fruits, berries and insects. Fruits of bitterbrush are important in some areas. Feeds on the ground in shubs and in trees. Stores food in an underground cache for winter use.
Range: Reported home ranges vary. It is reported that adult males wander more widely than females and that about 50% of the young disperse from the natal area. Females increase the size of their home range after dispersal of young and the home range size is greater if food availablity is low.	Reproduction: Mating accurs March through April with gestation lasting 28-30 days. Average litter size about 6 with single litter per year most common. A second litter is posible if the first is lost. The young are born April through May and appear above ground from June to early July.
Other: Uses stumps, logs, rocks and shrubs for cover when resting, grooming or when alarmed.	More information:

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	Common name: Townsend's Ground Squiirrel
	Species: Spermophilus townsendii
	Description:
Habitat: Common at times in sagebrush, low sagebrush, and alkali scrub. Less common in bitterbrush, and least common in pinyon-juniper habitat. May invade croplands of alfalfa and grain in winter and spring.	Food: Mainly herbivorus; eats green leaves, plant stems, flowers, roots, bulbs, seeds, unripe grain, insects and carrion and frequently is cannibalistic. It forages on the ground surface and digs for food. There is no difference in diet with sex or age.
Range: Townsend's Ground Squirrel occurs in arid habitats from Nevada to Washington.	Reproduction: A nest of grass, sagebrush, and other materials are located in the burrow system, which may be up to 15 m (50 ft) long and 1.8 m (6 ft) deep. Mating occurs soon after activity begins (January through March). Gestation period is 23 or more, days; the young are born in February through April. Average litter sizes reported include 9 (range 4-16) and 4.8 (Svihla 1939). One litter is produced per year. The young are weaned in 35 days and reproduce as yearlings.
Other:	More information:

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	Common name: Washington ground squirrel
	Species:
	Description: The combined head and body length is 4 1/2to 13 1/2in. (11.4–33 cm) depending on the species; the tail is usually a third to two thirds as long.
Habitat: Washington Ground Squirrel inhabits the sagebrush and grassland regions of the Oregon and Washington Columbia Plateau.	Food: Nuts, seeds, most fruits, some vegetables, mostly they would eat anything that is planted in your garden.
Range: Their range is restricted to the sandy soil regions of the Columbia Basin south and east of the Columbia River, where they form colonies. Originally thought gone from Oregon, the squirrel was "rediscovered" in Boardman in 1978. An additional 35 colonies were later found elsewhere in Oregon, but most historical sites in Oregon and Washington no longer support Washington Ground Squirrels.	Reproduction: Mates late January to early February. 1 litter per year of 5-11 young (average 8) born in mid-March; gestacion is probably about 28 days.
Other:	More information:

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	Common name: Yellow-bellied Marmot
	Species: Marmota flaviventris
	Description: Yellow-brown body, with yellow belly. Feet are buff to light brown. White spots between eyes. Buff or yellow patches from below the ears to shoulders. The tail is bushy. The animal is 18–28 inches long
Habitat: Rocky outcrops and talus slopes, uses rocks for shelter, sunning and observing	Food: Grasses and shrubs, green vegetation and insects.
Range: They range from British Columbia, southern Alberta, and Montana south through eastern Washington, Oregon and California and east to Colorado and northern New Mexico.	Reproduction: After 30 days gestation, young are born in March to April, single litters range from 4-6 and 3-8. Yearling females rarely reproduce. Only 25% of females reproduce in a given year.
Other: If alarmed, the animal returns to its den and often chirps or whistles from its position of safety.	More information: Mammals eNature: mammals:larger rodents

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