The ground squirrels at Frazee Beach in Carlsbad, California are the darlings of most visitors from out-of-town. The squirrels enjoy some of the best beachfront property in town, among some of the priciest real estate. Not everyone is happy with them, however. There are some real dangers in making friends with these adorable creatures.
Ground Squirrels can be Dangerous
The California ground squirrel, Spermophilus beecheyi, is found in nearly all regions of California. When squirrel populations are dense, they are prone to diseases that can be harmful to humans. The largest concern is the bubonic plague, which can be transmitted by fleas. Bubonic plague has been known to wipe out entire ground squirrel colonies. For this reason, it is important to notify public health or the nearest city hall if a large number of ground squirrels are found dead in a single area. Plus, there is always a danger of getting bitten by any wild animal, which may be carrying rabies.
Intrinsic Benefits
That aside, it can be a very enjoyable pass-time, watching the ground squirrels approach visitors while they are eating, to see if they can get a little for themselves.
Their wild habits, though many times not visible from above ground, are quite interesting.
The Colony
Ground squirrels live in a system of burrows, which can range from 5 to 30 feet and more in length, and can be 4 feet deep. The entrances to the burrows vary in size, but are generally about 4 inches around. There is often more than one entrance to a burrow system. A ground squirrel colony may have over several dozen squirrels in a burrow complex.
Ground squirrels are diurnal and are most active on warm sunny days. They can commonly be seen leaving their burrows in midmorning and late afternoon. During the hottest time of the year, some ground squirrels go through an evestation period, which is a period of inactivity that lasts anywhere from a few days to more than a week. At this time, the adult squirrels block the burrow with soil near the entrance to their nest. They breed only once per year, usually beginning around December, resulting in a brood of seven or eight per litter. The young do not leave the burrow until they are around six weeks old. They mature in six months. Their diets change with the seasons, but they are primarily vegetarian. Ground squirrels generally forage within their home range, which is within about a 75-foot radius of their burrows.
Sometimes ground squirrels damage vegetation by burrowing around roots, or gnawing on roots and bark. They also will gnaw on plastic irrigation lines and sprinkler heads. (http://cecalaveras.ucdavis.edu/squirrel.htm).
People Still Have a Need to Commune With Nature in Some Small Way
Although the City of Carlsbad would probably enjoy less liability if the ground squirrel “condominiums” were not located in the most prime real estate, on the bluffs above the beach, so many people enjoy the presence of the ground squirrels it may be unpopular, if not impossible to keep them from human interaction.
Yana Marshall - Yana Ungermann-Marshall is a writer, artist and Information Professional currently working at Altadena Public Library as a Reference ...
