California Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi)
As far as I can tell, this one left the safety of ground cover to warm in the morning sun.
Emigrant Lake - Jackson County - Oregon - USA
"The California ground squirrel can be found in south central Oregon, western Washington and most parts of California... The majority of the California ground squirrel's diet is made up of plant parts like leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, berries and fruits. Occasionally, it will eat insects and small animals... The California ground squirrel is diurnal, that means it is most active in the daytime. It lives in colonies, but the squirrels tend not to socialize with each other. Several squirrels may share a burrow, but they each will have their own entrance. Burrows are made under a tree, log or rock. The California ground squirrel can climb trees, but it spends most of its time on the ground."
Source : NatureWorks
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