Before you adopt that cute baby Richardson's Ground Squirrel from the pet store, do your research! Remember, pets are forever, and your RGS can live for eight years or longer. In many places it isn't legal to keep them as pets.
In the Wild
Outside of the pet trade, they are called "Gophers" or "Flickertails." They inhabit prairie and farmlands around the Dakotas and parts of Canada. These burrowing, foraging animals are an important part of the prairie ecosystem, yet they are often considered "pests" by farmers. Sadly, it is easier to find information on how to eliminate Gophers than how to properly care for them as pets.
Females live in family groups, while males are usually solitary. They forage during the day and spend nights in burrows. They hibernate in the wild, but it is unlikely they will do so in your home. Studies have theorized that lack of hibernation may cause longevity issues.
Most Richardson's in the pet trade are taken from the wild as babies. Successful breeding in captivity is rare. Once a RGS has been taken from the wild in this manner, it can never be returned.
In the Home
When properly handled and cared for, Ground Squirrels can become quite friendly and bond deeply with caregivers. Your Gopher may greet you with a "grin," opening its mouth wide to display long front teeth. They may groom you with licks and nibbles.
Ground Squirrels and children are not a good match. Squirrels have sharp teeth and claws and may bite or scratch if they do not wish to be handled. They can easily chew through walls, wiggle into tiny spaces, and are excellent climbers. Catching an escaped RGS is difficult (try luring him into a pillowcase with a treat.) A loose RGS can destroy wires, walls, books, shoes, etc..
Richardson's, especially males, may have a musky odor. Keeping litterboxes and bedding clean helps. You can occasionally offer a bin of corn starch or Chinchilla dust for the squirrel to dig in. This will help remove oil from the fur.
Diet
Obesity is common with these pets, so free-feeding is not recommended. However, you can offer unlimited pesticide-free, fresh-cut grass or Timothy hay (alfalfa is too caloric.) You can purchase Exotic Nutrition's Squirrel Diet online. A cheaper option is to mix commercial hamster/gerbil food with Timothy-hay based rabbit pellets. A couple of tablespoons daily is plenty. You should also provide a small salad of romaine or redleaf (no iceberg) and spinach or parsley daily. Healthy treats include carrot, raisins, apple, and cooked brown rice. Clean, fresh water in a sturdy hanging bottle is a must.
Housing
These animals have unlimited energy, so provide as much space for them as you can. A large wheel for running is a must! Furnish a multi-level cage with a hollow log or sturdy box and pillowcases or pet bedding for burrowing. Place a litterbox in one corner. The kind designed for ferrets work best, with a section of the front cut away for easy access. Use paper or pine-based litter pellets. Remember, squirrels are prey animals, so you will have to safeguard against predators if you are keeping your pet outside. If you want to keep more than one RGS together, your best bet is two or more females from the same litter.
Vet Care
Finding vets knowledgeable about the care of these exotics is difficult. Luckily, they don't require vaccinations, nor are they prone to any particular disease.
Communication
Ground Squirrels have a complex language of clicks, chatters, chirps, and whistles, some of which are ultrasonic! Your RGS will chatter when excited or annoyed, growl when angry, and emit a high-pitched, piercing chirp when frightened.
Sarah Goodwin-Nguyen - Goodwin-Nguyen is the author of Key West: A Comprehensive Guide to Florida's Southernmost City (Parkscape Press, 2008) as well as an ebook ...
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