THE CALIFORNIA "DIGGER" SQUIRREL. 



By W. C. JACOBSEN, Supt. Rodent Control Division, State Commission of Horticulture. 



California is well known for the many trees, flowers, birds and mammals that are 

 found alone within her borders. An animal of great economic importance is found almost 

 just so, that being the California Digger ground squirrel of which there are three species 

 ranging from well into Oregon, south into Mexico. 



They are found all over California (excepting the desert areas) at elevations ranging 

 from sea level up to 8,000 feet in the high Sierras. In this state the ground squirrel 

 inhabits the hills and valleys of the Coast Range, our big valleys and the sparsely 

 timbered slopes of our mountains. Because of his wide distribution, great numbers, and 

 ability to live under practically all conditions, he can inflict severe damage in a very 

 short time. 



However, his old habits have led to a movement that definitely spells his doom. This 

 great destroyer of food now has the law after him. He must be taken dead or alive where- 

 ever found. He will be shown no quarter, no chance to live. 



Habits and Life History. 



The many burrows with trails radiating from them are usually places marking the 

 home of a squirrel family. The burrow extends several feet into the ground, having 

 *ome where along its course a comfortable nest lined with soft grass and straw. 



The young are born from the first of February until the end of April, depending upon 

 the locality, those in the south being born earlier, and in the north later in the season. 

 The number of young varies from 4 to 12, averaging about 8. Where there is a continual 

 abundant supply of food, the number of young occasionally reaches 15. 



An important point, wherein the squirrel differs from most of the smaller rodents, is 

 his habit of working in the day time, for he has a much better chance to get food then, 

 than an animal whose time is largely spent in the dark. In addition, he usually works the 

 year around. In Modoc and L/assen counties, in the plains area, the Oregon ground squir- 

 rel is common and does much damage. Its dormant period is approximately from July 3 

 to February 15. Often in the dryer regions squirrels will go into a dormant state because 

 of food or water scarcity. Certain ground squirrels can live their whole lives without 

 water, obtaining moisture only from the food eaten. 



Food Destroyed. 



The foods most commonly taken are grain, fruits, green herbage, vegetables, nuts and 

 the seeds of range, forage and cultivated plants. Wild seeds are abandoned for the more 

 tasty ones, such as wheat, barley and oats, of which the squirrel often carries in his 

 cheek pouches from 350 to 500 kernels at one time. 



During the spring, or green period, the herbage of growing plants is taken. 



Range of Feeding. 



The squirrel will start to take grain as soon as seeded in the ground, then the green 

 shoots, growing stalks, green grain heads, ripe heads, grain waiting to be harvested, and 

 from the sacks or granary. Likewise on fruit, the squirrel chews the bark of young trees, 

 eats the green buds, green fruit, ripe fruit and dried fruit from drying trays. 



He will eat worms, young poultry and occasionally eggs. Numerous quail eggs m the 

 mountain sections are destroyed by squirrels each year. 



With their systematic plan of destroying these crops, it is easy to understand how 

 untold damage can be done in a short time, and the damage he does has placed the ground 

 squirrel in disfavor by every one. We all are his enemies. ... 



We have learned that there is at least one ground squirrel per acre in California 

 If this be so and each destroyed only one cent's worth of food m two weeks the? will 

 destroy $30,000,000 worth of crops in a year, for there are over 100,000,000 acres m our 

 state Many are the instances where they do hundreds of dollars damage m one day by 

 breaking irrigation levees, washing out railways and roadways. They also carry fleas 

 which may spread a dreaded disease known as bubonic plague. In the oil fields of Cali- 

 fornia they do great damage by causing leaks in the great storage tanks. 



We su?ely cal find some way to destroy the squirrel and the boys and girls can do their 

 part. There are many methods, and for a few cents we can kill this rodent which m a 

 grain field or orchard may cost us in damage from $2.00 to $5.00 each. 



Natural Enemies. 



We should never forget that these rodents have natural enemies. Hawks, owls and 

 <m*k<* kill ireat hordes each year. Still, many of us unknowingly destroy some of these 

 antmals wMc^ tru^y are our best friends. Of snakes, there is a single poisonous one, in 

 cTfornia-the rattler. Nearly every eagle, hawk and owl is busily engaged capturing 

 ni5 Patimr small rodents Only occasionally do they steal poultry. The weasel and 

 badge^ ?evln after many years of trapping and shooting, help a great deal m the control 

 of squirrels, and house cats do good in this line. 



Methods of Control. 



Trapping. 



No O Newhouse. 



Guillotine rat trap, large size. 



Self-setting traps. 

 Shooting. 



Air rifles. 



.22 rifles. 

 Drowning. 



Flooding:, with aid of dog. 



Poisons. 



Baits and strychnin on fruit, vegetables and 

 melons, in dry season. 



Poisoned grain. 



Poisonous gases or suffocating erases. 



After all, we need the combined effort of 

 everyone to reduce the enormous damage done 

 by squirrels. 



A squirrel in time saves killing nine. 



