Goblin – Beldings Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus beldingi)
“Goblin” is a Belding’s Ground Squirrel, one of many ground squirrel species found in our area. He came to us as a baby in Spring of 2012. They are considered “pests” as they do much damage to alfalfa and hay crops. They are “patriarchal”, meaning that the “dad” gives some of his territory to each son, and the daughters must disperse and find a good mate.
Being a male, to rehab and release him, we’d have to put him back in the area that he came from, but that land owner is trying to eradicate them, so he would be killed.
So, we now have an Animal Ambassador ground squirrel who is cute as a bug!
