Connie L. Valenzuela
852 Broadway
El Centro, CA 92243
Agricultural Commissioner
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Linda S. Evans
Assistant Agricultural Commissioner/
Asst. Sealer of Weights and Measures
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
(760) 482-4314
Fax: (760) 353-9420
E-mail: agcom@co.imperial.ca.us
June 2012
The California ground squirrel was recently found near Seeley in the Imperial Valley. California ground
squirrels are found in nearly all regions of California except for Owens Valley (located in the southeastern part
of the state) and southward into the desert regions.
We are asking for your cooperation in reporting any sightings of California ground squirrel; until we know how
widespread it is we won’t know if it’s possible to eradicate this pest from our area. This is a very destructive
squirrel that damages crops and irrigation systems. The large burrows also accelerate erosion, cause wash-outs,
and increase silt and sediment in irrigation water.
The California ground squirrel is speckled and is much larger than the native round-tailed ground squirrel
already found throughout Imperial County. Below you will find descriptions and images of both squirrels.
IDENTIFICATION OF CALIFORNIA GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus beecheyi)
Head and body length – 10 inches; tail – 7 inches; weight 17 – 35 oz; upper part orange- brown speckled with
cream; whitish mantel on shoulders, sometimes with black triangle or diamond from nape to shoulder; upper
parts, legs, and feet whitish to pale-orange; ears prominent; tail long and bushy, grizzled cream and black.
Please report any sightings of this squirrel to our office.
IDENTIFICATION OF ROUND-TAILED GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus tereticaudus)
Head and body length - 6 inches; tail length - 3 ½ inches; weight – 4 to 7oz; back is dull gray brown or pale
cinnamon; lower side, belly, and legs – white or cream; ears very small; tail long and narrow, edge and
underside pale brown
California Ground Squirrel
Round-Tailed Ground Squirrel
.
Please report possible sightings of California ground squirrels to Reyes Triviso or Carlos Ortiz at 760-482-4314.