Douglas's Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus douglasii) is in the Squirrels family (Sciuridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 7,218 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 Douglas's Ground Squirrel: observations by month (U.S.)
About Douglas's Ground Squirrel
The California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi), also known as the Beechey ground squirrel, is a common and easily observed ground squirrel of the western United States and the Baja California Peninsula; it is common in Oregon and California and its range has relatively recently extended into Washington and northwestern Nevada. Formerly placed in Spermophilus, as Spermophilus beecheyi, it was reclassified in Otospermophilus in 2009, as it became clear that Spermophilus as previously defined was not a...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Douglas's Ground Squirrel by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3,562 | April | Mar–Nov |
| Oregon | 3,298 | June | Mar–Sep |
| Washington | 358 | June | Mar–Sep |
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 Douglas's Ground Squirrel?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from March to October.
Where is Douglas's Ground Squirrel most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Washington.