Cascade Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel, Callospermophilus Saturatus

Day 322: Scientific name or common name, you've said a mouthful by the time you've pronounced "Callospermophilus saturatus" or "Cascade Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel," and that's the truth! At this time of year, you'll see these critters scurrying through the subalpine meadows, their cheeks bulging with food as they "bulk up" for winter hibernation. A distinct species from other golden-mantled ground squirrels, the Cascade Golden-Mantled Squirrel is endemic to Washington and British Columbia and is the largest member of the sub-genus. Although their primary diet consists of fungi and vegetation, they also consume seeds, fruit and occasionally carrion. As their name implies, they live in underground burrows.