Mammals
California Ground Squirrel
Otospermophilus beecheyi · also called Beechey ground squirrel
Facing a rattlesnake on a California hillside, a ground squirrel fluffs its tail and waves it back and forth, warming it so the snake can sense the warning in infrared, a trick that helps it survive one of its deadliest enemies.
Overview
The California ground squirrel, Otospermophilus beecheyi, is a Least Concern rodent native to grassland and open woodland along the Pacific Coast. Its tail-flagging, partial venom resistance, and scent-masking use of snakeskin make it one of the most remarkable snake-defying mammals in North America.
A squirrel with a snake strategy
Few rodents meet snakes with as many tricks as the California ground squirrel, combining a heated tail display, some venom resistance, and borrowed scent.
Status
Least Concern, widespread and common across suitable open habitat.
California Ground Squirrel: common questions
How does the California ground squirrel deal with rattlesnakes?
It fluffs and waves its tail, and can warm the tail to send an infrared signal that snakes can sense, and it also has partial resistance to the venom.
Why does it chew snakeskin?
It smears chewed shed snakeskin on its fur to mask its scent from snakes.
Do other animals use California ground squirrel burrows?
Yes, burrowing owls and some salamanders, among other species, use the burrows it digs.
Where is the California ground squirrel found?
It is native to grassland and open woodland habitat in California, Oregon, Washington, and Baja California.