Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis) is in the Squirrels family (Sciuridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 22,489 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
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 Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel: observations by month (U.S.)
About Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
The golden-mantled ground squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis) is a ground squirrel native to western North America. It is distributed in British Columbia and Alberta through the western United States to California, Arizona, and New Mexico.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 7,287 | July | Jun–Aug |
| California | 5,085 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Oregon | 3,033 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Wyoming | 1,798 | August | May–Aug |
| Utah | 1,663 | July | May–Aug |
| Montana | 1,257 | July | Jun–Aug |
| New Mexico | 907 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Arizona | 487 | July | May–Sep |
| Idaho | 476 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Nevada | 475 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Washington | 21 | August | May–Aug |
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
Western Gray Squirrel
Yellow-bellied Marmot
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 Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to September.
Where is Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, California, Oregon.