GOLDEN MANTLED GROUND SQUIRREL:-

GOLDEN LOCKS THAT ADORN HEAD AND SHOULDERS GIVE HIS SQUIRREL ITS NAME.CAMPERS IN THE ROCKIES CALL IT THE GOLDEN CHIPMUNK.EXCEPT FOR ITS FACE , S. LATERALIS IS HEAVIER IT FORAGES IN ALPINE MEADOWS AND OPEN STANDS OF LODGEPOLE PINE DOUGLAS FIR,AND ASPENS. SEEDS ,BERRIES,FRUIT,EGG, AND INSECTS MAKE UP MOST OF ITS DIET.AND IT ACCEPTS HANDOUTS FROM HUMANS IT SPENDS THE SUMMER COLLECTING FOOD AND CACHING IT IN ITS BURROW,PERHAPS UNDER A ROCK OR STUMP. (BULGING INTERNAL CHEEK POUCHES, AS SHOWN ABOVE, HOLD HUNDREDS OF SEEDS.)

 

IN OCTOBER, SQUIRREL CURLS UP IN A BED OF DRY GRASSES IN ITS DEN AND HIBERNATES. IT AWAKENS IN EARLY SPRING. WHEN MALES MAY SCRAP FOR MATES. AFTER GESTATION OF A MONTH, TWO TO EIGHT YOUNG ARE BORN.