Washington ground squirrels are found in shrub-steppe or grassland habitat. They occupy sites with deep, loose, sandy loam soil suitable for burrows and with abundant forbs. They require sufficient patch size to maintain a colony and corridors that provide connectivity between colonies. Populations do fluctuate, and conservation planning needs to maintain areas occupied at peak numbers. The role of isolated colonies is also important as insurance against disease outbreaks and refuges from wildfires.
Limiting factors
Habitat loss and fragmentation are the main factors limiting Washington ground squirrel populations.
Data gaps
Describe colony and metapopulation dynamics to understand how and why colonies appear and disappear and what factors contribute to expansion and extirpation of colonies. Further surveys are needed to document occurrence of this species at historical and previously-unsurveyed areas.
Conservation actions
Maintain habitat patches. Restore habitat connectivity where possible. Consider translocations as a recovery tool for instances of management and conservation concern. Consider experimental habitat creation or restoration in appropriate locations and soil/vegetation types. Conduct invasive species management in shrub-steppe habitat.
