Franklin’s ground squirrel

Franklin’s ground squirrel is a medium-sized squirrel but a large ground squirrel. It is the largest and darkest ground squirrel in its range. It occurs in the tallgrass prairie region in the United States from North Dakota and Minnesota in the north to Kansas and Indiana in the south, and in Canada from central Alberta to southern Manitoba. It is considered scarce in Minnesota. It is found in and around tallgrass prairies in areas with tall vegetation including edges of fields and prairies, open woodlands, and edges of marshes.

Franklin’s ground squirrel is superficially similar in appearance to an eastern gray squirrel but it is smaller and has a shorter, less bushy tail, shorter ears, and a more pointed snout. The body is slender, elongated, and 14″ to 16″ in total length, including a 4″ to 6″ tail. Males are heavier than females. The coat (pelage) is short and dark gray with pale and dark flecks. There is a brownish wash over the back and rump. The underside may be yellowish-white, gray, or brownish-gray. The ears are short and egg-shaped. The female has 10 to 12 mammae. The skull has 22 teeth.

Total length: 14″ to 16″

Head and body: 9″ to 10″

Tail: 4″ to 6″

Areas with tall vegetation; edges of fields and prairies, open woodlands, edges of marshes

Franklin’s ground squirrel spends most of its time in an underground burrow that can be up to 8 feet deep. It is tolerant of humans and can be seen at camp sights, in state parks, and at dumps. It does not stand upright when alarmed.

7.2 years (in captivity)

Males hibernate from August to late March or April. Females enter hibernation later and emerge later in the spring.

Omnivorous. Plant leaves, stems, seeds, and fruit; ground nesting bird eggs; insects; and small animals, including other ground squirrels.

Sources

4, 24, 29, 30, 76.

Scarce

Franklin’s ground squirrel is the only species in the genus Poliocitellus.

It has been feeding in our backyard for about three weeks now. Drives our dog crazy as it stays just out of reach!

First appeared 8-2-23 counted 8 eating with birds and chipmunks.

From mid-April to beginning of October you often find this type rodent running around in the state park for scraps of food to store for winter. One of few places in Minnesota I recall finding the Franklin’s Ground Squirrel often.

Very tame ground squirrel near the entrance of the Rustic Cabin Shop.

A Franklin's Ground Squirrel in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge between Pool 7 and the West Pool. This one seemed very curious about us but also a bit wary.

A Franklin's Ground Squirrel foraging for leaves in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge before disappearing in the under brush along side the auto tour road. 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.

Franklin's Ground Squirrel (Sciuridae: Poliocitellus/Spermophilus franklinii) Showing Caution
Carl Barrentine

Location: Two Harbors, MN, Under my firepit deck, where it’s cooler (12x12,  isolated from heat by several inches of concrete), adjacent to multiple avian feeding stations 

Several entrances have been created, with adjacent lush vegetation: He joins the rabbits, squirrels, skunks, (avoids the fox and the occasional feral cat) to enjoy a banquet of sliced apples and mini-carrots in the evenings… and during the day happily accompanies the flocks of pigeons, grackles, European starlings, BlueJays, Grosbeaks, Orioles, Gold Finches, Wood Ducks and other assorted species that feast several time a day in the yard… costs more than I spend on myself and my many rescued companion animals!

Jamie Juenemann
5/13/2024

Location: Two Harbors

It has been feeding in our backyard for about three weeks now. Drives our dog crazy as it stays just out of reach!

Location: Near Cromwell

We saw one watching us for about a half hour as we worked on chipping tree branches near our outhouse. He/ she was curious but cautious.

Location: Pine County, Sandstone MN

First appeared 8-2-23 counted 8 eating with birds and chipmunks.

Location: Hill City MN

There are about a dozen of them living in my dads yard.

Location: Gooseberry Falls State Park

Six of these guys were begging food underneath and around a picnic table near the shelter near the river mouth and Lake.

Location: Larsmont, MN

Three animals sited on lake side of Hwy 61

Eli Jutz
5/20/2023

Location: New Prague

Anne
8/18/2022

Location: South Birch Lake near Babbitt.

Location: Remer Mn

He lives under my wife and I shed.

Location: Hwy 35 near Wrenchall (Carleton County) at a rest stop heading north.

Several spotted surrounding bathrooms. Very friendly and confident around people. 

Location: Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

near the backpacking campsites.

Location: Lake Bemidji State Park

From mid-April to beginning of October you often find this type rodent running around in the state park for scraps of food to store for winter. One of few places in Minnesota I recall finding the Franklin’s Ground Squirrel often.

Location: Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground

Location: On the lawn in front of the Rustic Cabin Shop (8 miles south or Orr, Hwy 53)

Very tame, was grazing near the front door of the store.

Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

A Franklin's Ground Squirrel in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge between Pool 7 and the West Pool. This one seemed very curious about us but also a bit wary.

Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

A Franklin's Ground Squirrel foraging for leaves in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge before disappearing in the under brush along side the auto tour road. 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.