The Smaller the Creature the Bolder Its Spirit
Spotted this Fellow eyeing me at a local park. I could sense he was looking for a handout, and I wanted to give him a treat; but there are signs in the park stating, “do not feed the wildlife.” So, I gave him a nod and we went our separate ways.
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California ground squirrels live in burrows which they excavate themselves. Some burrows are occupied communally but each individual squirrel has its own entrance. Although they readily become tame in areas used by humans, and quickly learn to take food left or offered by picnickers, they spend most of their time within 25 m (82 ft.) of their burrow, and rarely go further than 50 m (160 ft.) from it.
In the colder parts of their range, California ground squirrels hibernate for several months, but in areas where winters have no snow, most squirrels are active year-round.
California ground squirrels are often regarded as a pest in gardens and parks, since they will eat ornamental plants and trees. They commonly feed on seeds, such as oats, but also eat insects such as crickets and grasshoppers as well as various fruits.
California ground squirrels are frequently preyed on by rattlesnakes. They are also preyed on by eagles, raccoons, foxes, badgers, and weasels.
The average lifespan for the California ground squirrel is 3 to 4 years in the wild, but they can live as long as 6 years. In captivity, the average lifespan for the ground squirrel is 10 years.
(Sony, 200-600 @ 335 mm, 1/2000 @ f/8.0, ISO 2500, processed to taste)
The Smaller the Creature the Bolder Its Spirit
Spotted this Fellow eyeing me at a local park. I could sense he was looking for a handout, and I wanted to give him a treat; but there are signs in the park stating, “do not feed the wildlife.” So, I gave him a nod and we went our separate ways.
__________________________
California ground squirrels live in burrows which they excavate themselves. Some burrows are occupied communally but each individual squirrel has its own entrance. Although they readily become tame in areas used by humans, and quickly learn to take food left or offered by picnickers, they spend most of their time within 25 m (82 ft.) of their burrow, and rarely go further than 50 m (160 ft.) from it.
In the colder parts of their range, California ground squirrels hibernate for several months, but in areas where winters have no snow, most squirrels are active year-round.
California ground squirrels are often regarded as a pest in gardens and parks, since they will eat ornamental plants and trees. They commonly feed on seeds, such as oats, but also eat insects such as crickets and grasshoppers as well as various fruits.
California ground squirrels are frequently preyed on by rattlesnakes. They are also preyed on by eagles, raccoons, foxes, badgers, and weasels.
The average lifespan for the California ground squirrel is 3 to 4 years in the wild, but they can live as long as 6 years. In captivity, the average lifespan for the ground squirrel is 10 years.
(Sony, 200-600 @ 335 mm, 1/2000 @ f/8.0, ISO 2500, processed to taste)