Columbian Ground Squirrel: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Squirrels and Marmots · day 4 of 7

Five facts

1. When two meet, they press their mouths and noses together, a bit like a kiss. The greeting lasts 1 to 5 seconds.
2. Above ground, its main hobby is standing upright on watch. It spends more time on guard than feeding or grooming.
3. Locals in Idaho nicknamed them "Seven sleepers", as they stayed underground for about seven months a year.
4. Babies are born hairless, blind and without teeth. Yet within 5 to 6 days they have already doubled their weight.
5. One burrow studied had two hidden back doors, likely for escaping predators, and an old nest deeper down used as a toilet.

The quiz

1. How do Columbian ground squirrels often greet each other?

• They touch mouths and noses (correct)
• They wave their tails
• They stamp their feet
• They swap seeds

Their greeting looks like a kiss and lasts 1 to 5 seconds.

2. What does it spend the most time doing above ground?

• Grooming
• Feeding
• Standing on watch (correct)
• Sunbathing on its back

Standing at attention took up more of its time than any other activity.

3. What nickname did locals in Idaho give these squirrels?

• Mountain kissers
• Seven sleepers (correct)
• Meadow clowns
• Dawn whistlers

They were called "Seven sleepers" for staying underground about seven months a year.

4. How quickly do the babies double their weight?

• In 2 months
• In 1 year
• In 3 weeks
• In 5 to 6 days (correct)

Their weight has doubled after just 5 to 6 days.

5. What were the hidden extra openings of the burrow probably for?

• Storing winter food
• Escaping predators (correct)
• Letting rainwater in
• Keeping the babies warm

The concealed openings likely served as escape routes if a predator entered.

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