Franklin's Ground Squirrel (Poliocitellus franklinii) is in the Squirrels family (Sciuridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,054 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 Franklin's Ground Squirrel: observations by month (U.S.)
About Franklin's Ground Squirrel
Franklin's ground squirrel (Poliocitellus franklinii) is a species of squirrel native to North America, and the only member of the genus Poliocitellus. Due to the destruction of prairie, the populations of Franklin's ground squirrel have dwindled, approaching levels of concern. However, the species is prolific and locally abundant.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Franklin's Ground Squirrel by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 822 | July | May–Sep |
| Nebraska | 192 | August | Jul–Sep |
| North Dakota | 28 | May | May–Aug |
| Illinois | 5 | August | Aug–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
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 Franklin's Ground Squirrel?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from May to September.
Where is Franklin's Ground Squirrel most often seen?
The most observations come from Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota.