Belding's Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus beldingi) is in the Squirrels family (Sciuridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,630 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Belding's Ground Squirrel: observations by month (U.S.)
About Belding's Ground Squirrel
Belding's ground squirrel (Urocitellus beldingi), also called pot gut, sage rat or picket-pin, is a squirrel that lives on mountains in the western United States. In California, it often is found at 6,500 to 11,800 feet (2,000–3,600 m) in meadows between Lake Tahoe and Kings Canyon. This species is not of conservation concern, and its range includes some protected areas.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Belding's Ground Squirrel by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 1,290 | April | Apr–Jun |
| California | 1,262 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Nevada | 67 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Idaho | 11 | June | Jun–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Squirrels)
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk
California Ground Squirrel
Groundhog
American Red Squirrel
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Western Gray Squirrel
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Belding's Ground Squirrel?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from April to August.
Where is Belding's Ground Squirrel most often seen?
The most observations come from Oregon, California, Nevada.