Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrels are found in western parts of the United States and Canada. They live in mountain areas where there are coniferous and mixed forest, sometimes in sagebrush areas, as well. Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrels hibernate in the winter, so during the fall they eat and fatten up to get through while they go underground for the winter months. They eat seeds, nuts, and fruits, they especially like Pinyon pine nuts. They will also eat mushrooms, green vegetation and insects. Here is one I saw around the Flagstaff Arboretum area.

GOLDEN-MANTLED GROUND SQUIRREL

GOLDEN-MANTLED GROUND SQUIRREL