Spermophilus beldingi is found in the mountainous regions of the western United States. Its range extends from eastern Oregon to southeastern Idaho, northeastern California, northern Nevada, and northwestern Utah (Nowak 1991). (Jenkins and Eshelman 1984)

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

endemic to a single nation

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: Western U.S.; eastern Oregon south through northeastern California, southwestern Idaho, north-central Nevada, and extreme southeastern Utah.

Spermophilus beldingi is a relatively small ground squirrel with a head to tail length of 230-300mm. Its tail is 44-76mm long and is bushy yet flattened, with reddish coloring on the ventral side. The pelage of the rest of the body is gray with touches of cinnamon on the undersides, and reddish-brown on the back. The tail may also contain red, black and white bands of colors on the distal hairs. Spermophilus beldingi has short limbs and small ears. The skull of S. beldingi has a short rostrum and convex dorsal profile. Auditory bullae are small and postorbital processes are conspicuous. The dental formula is 1/1, 0/0, 2/1, 3/3=22. Molars are hypsodont and there is a continuous metaloph on the fourth premolar. (Jenkins and Eshelman 1984, Macdonald 1985, Nowak 1991)

Average mass: 290 g.

Average basal metabolic rate: 0.796 W.

Length: 30 cm

Weight: 340 grams

• Terrestrial

Spermophilus beldingi is a meadow-dweller. It is found in alpine and subalpine meadows and pastures. The habitats of S. beldingi seem to be limited to open areas as opposed to forests or rocky slopes. (Jenkins and Eshelman 1984, Nowak 1991)

Terrestrial Biomes: mountains

Comments: Inhabits alpine and subalpine meadows, sagebrush flats, mixed brush and grass habitats, pastures and croplands. Usually found in fairly open habitat (Jenkins and Eshelman 1984). Young are born in underground burrows.

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Spermophilus beldingi is primarily herbivorous but also eats insects, small invertebrates, birds' eggs, and some carrion. Its primary food sources are seeds, flowerheads, nuts, grains, roots, bulbs, mushrooms, and green vegetation. Seeds are the appropriately preferred food of Spermophilus (which means "seed loving") beldingi (Macdonald 1985). (Jenkins and Eshelman 1984, Nowak 1991)

Comments: Feeds primarily on grass, leaves of meadow plants, and seeds. Diet may be less varied than that of other ground squirrels (Sumner and Dixon 1953).

Lives in colonies. In California, population density estimates range from 1.2/ha in an alpine meadow, to well over 100/ha in an alfalfa field (Jenkins and Eshelman 1984). Predators include coyotes, badgers, and weasels.

Comments: Remains active for longer periods during the spring and summer than are other species of Spermophilus, which live in more arid habitats at lower elevations (Larrison and Johnson 1981). Usually hibernates from late September-May or June (Hall 1946).

Spermophilus beldingi reaches sexual maturity at approximately 2 years. Mating occurs shortly after emergence from hibernation in May or June. Females are usually receptive to mating for only one day, and on that day may mate with numerous (between 3 and 5) different males. Some males may however, never mate. Mating occurs above ground but females create "nests" in their burrows for their litter. Gestation lasts approximately 23-28 days. Females have only 1 litter per year, and most litters are multiply sired. Litter sizes range from 1-11 but typically average around 5. Females usually have 5 pairs of teats and lactation lasts 26-31 days. Young are born at 5.4-8 g and are very altricial. Juveniles spend about 25-28 days below ground before emerging. Females of S. beldingi are the sole caregivers, with fathers spending no time helping to care for the young. Oftentimes the males never see the young because they are hibernating before the young emerge from their burrows. (Jenkins and Eshelman 1984, Macdonald 1985)

Average birth mass: 6.87 g.

Average gestation period: 26 days.

Average number of offspring: 5.7.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)

Sex: male: 547 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 365 days.

Breeding occurs shortly after hibernation. Gestation lasts 23-28 days. Females are reported to produce 1 litter of 4-12 young, or an average of 8 young/litter (Hall 1946). Sexually mature in 2 years.

Spermophilus beldingi is not endangered but is in fact the focus of many population control measures. In many areas, poisonous baits are used in order to keep population numbers of S. beldingi down. Some natural predators of S. beldingi are coyotes, badgers, long-tailed weasels, raptors and snakes (Jenkins and Eshelman 1984).

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Spermophilus beldingi can be an agricultural nuisance, feeding on crops and other vegetation. (Jenkins and Eshelman 1984)

Comments: Agricultural pest in some areas.