Mammals Active during the day

Franklin's Ground Squirrel

Poliocitellus franklinii

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The Franklin's Ground Squirrel is a rare gem of the tallgrass prairie, known for its musical whistle and salt-and-pepper coat. This shy, deep-sleeping mammal offers a unique challenge for wildlife watchers and camera trappers alike.

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0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

35-41 cm (14-16 inches) in length; 370-950 g (0.8-2.1 lbs) in weight

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Colors

Speckled salt-and-pepper grey-brown back, buff or cream-colored belly, and a dark bushy tail mixed with white hairs.

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Key Features

Long, bushy tail roughly one-third of total body length
Distinct white ring around the eye
Salt-and-pepper greyish-brown fur without stripes or spots
Small, rounded ears set low on the head

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 9 AM - 4 PM

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Season May-July

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Diet Omnivorous and opportunistic; they eat seeds, fruit, and green plants, but also have a high intake of animal protein including grasshoppers, beetles, bird eggs, and small vertebrates.

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Habitat Tallgrass prairies, forest edges, railway embankments, and areas with dense, unmowed vegetation.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Franklin's Ground Squirrel Live?

Native to the central plains of North America, the Franklin's Ground Squirrel inhabits a corridor stretching from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba down through the Midwestern United States. Its range extends as far south as Kansas and Missouri and as far east as northwestern Indiana. Because it avoids short-grass environments, its presence is often tied to surviving fragments of tallgrass prairie and undisturbed meadowlands across the Great Plains.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

2 Countries

2.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States CA Canada

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Franklin's Ground Squirrels are the 'introverts' of the ground squirrel world. Unlike their highly social cousins, they are relatively solitary and prefer to stay hidden within dense, tall vegetation. They are strictly diurnal, meaning they are active only during the day, but they are also famous for being one of the longest-sleeping hibernators. They spend roughly 70% of the year underground, emerging in late spring and disappearing back into their burrows by late summer or early autumn.

When they are above ground, they spend most of their time foraging or standing in a 'picket-pin' posture to scan for predators. They are notably vocal, producing a clear, bird-like musical whistle that can be easily mistaken for a songbird's call. While they are excellent diggers and live in complex burrow systems, they are also surprisingly agile climbers and will occasionally scale low shrubs to find food or a better vantage point.

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Camera Tips

To successfully capture a Franklin's Ground Squirrel on camera, you must target 'edge' habitats where thick, tall grass meets a tree line or a shrubby fence. These squirrels are highly elusive and avoid open areas, so place your camera 6-10 inches off the ground, tucked slightly into the vegetation. Aim the lens at a small clearing within the tall grass or toward a suspected burrow entrance, which is usually about 3 inches wide and hidden under dense cover.

Baiting is highly recommended due to their shy nature. While standard birdseed works, Franklin's Ground Squirrels are more carnivorous than other species; a 'smear' of peanut butter or even a few dried mealworms can be a powerful lure. Position your bait on a flat stone or log to encourage the squirrel to pause and provide a clear, steady shot. Because they are only active for a few months a year, the window between May and July is your best opportunity to get them on film.

Set your AI-powered camera to a high sensitivity with a fast trigger speed, as these squirrels move quickly when they feel exposed. Using video mode (15-30 seconds) is particularly rewarding with this species, as it allows you to record their unique whistling vocalizations and their characteristic tail-flicking behavior. Since they are strictly diurnal, you can save battery life by scheduling the camera to operate only during daylight hours, specifically focusing on sunny, low-wind days when they are most likely to emerge.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Franklin's Ground Squirrel.

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

Much smaller with distinctive longitudinal stripes and rows of spots on its back; prefers shorter grass.

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Much larger with a significantly more voluminous tail; primarily lives in trees rather than underground burrows.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are strictly diurnal, meaning they are only active during daylight hours. They are most frequently seen between 9 AM and 4 PM on warm, sunny days, as they tend to stay in their burrows during cloudy or rainy weather.

To attract them, you need to provide tall, unmowed grass or shrubby borders. You can lure them to a specific spot for your camera using high-protein snacks like peanut butter, sunflower seeds, or dried mealworms placed near dense cover.

They are omnivores with a diverse diet. While they eat seeds, berries, and grasses, they are more predatory than other ground squirrels, frequently consuming insects, bird eggs, and even small mice.

They are generally rare in typical suburban settings because they require tall, thick vegetation. However, they may be found in backyards that border prairie remnants, railway corridors, or large, undisturbed meadows.

The easiest way is the pattern: Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels have distinct stripes and spots, whereas Franklin's have a uniform 'salt-and-pepper' grey look. Additionally, Franklin's are larger and have a much longer, bushier tail.

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