Franklin’s ground squirrel
(Poliocitellus franklinii)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List
LC - Least Concern
NatureServe
N5 - Secure
SNR - Unranked
Minnesota
not listed
Species in Greatest Conservation Need
Description
Franklin’s ground squirrel is a medium-sized squirrel but a large ground squirrel. It is the largest and darkest ground squirrel in its range. It occurs in the tallgrass prairie region in the United States from North Dakota and Minnesota in the north to Kansas and Indiana in the south, and in Canada from central Alberta to southern Manitoba. It is considered scarce in Minnesota. It is found in and around tallgrass prairies in areas with tall vegetation including edges of fields and prairies, open woodlands, and edges of marshes.
Franklin’s ground squirrel is superficially similar in appearance to an eastern gray squirrel but it is smaller and has a shorter, less bushy tail, shorter ears, and a more pointed snout. The body is slender, elongated, and 14″ to 16″ in total length, including a 4″ to 6″ tail. Males are heavier than females. The coat (pelage) is short and dark gray with pale and dark flecks. There is a brownish wash over the back and rump. The underside may be yellowish-white, gray, or brownish-gray. The ears are short and egg-shaped. The female has 10 to 12 mammae. The skull has 22 teeth.
Size
Total length: 14″ to 16″
Head and body: 9″ to 10″
Tail: 4″ to 6″
Sign
Similar Species
Habitat
Areas with tall vegetation; edges of fields and prairies, open woodlands, edges of marshes
Ecology
Behavior
Franklin’s ground squirrel spends most of its time in an underground burrow that can be up to 8 feet deep. It is tolerant of humans and can be seen at camp sights, in state parks, and at dumps. It does not stand upright when alarmed.
Lifespan
7.2 years (in captivity)
Life Cycle
Males hibernate from August to late March or April. Females enter hibernation later and emerge later in the spring.
Food
Omnivorous. Plant leaves, stems, seeds, and fruit; ground nesting bird eggs; insects; and small animals, including other ground squirrels.
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 12/13/2025). Timm, R. M. 1975. Distribution, natural history, and parasites of mammals of Cook County, Minnesota. Occasional Papers, Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota 14:1–56. Hazard, Evan B. 1982. The Mammals of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 280 pp. The counties in light green lack modern records but have historic county or township specimens or records. |
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Occurrence |
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Taxonomy
Class
Subclass
Theria
Infraclass
Placentalia (Placental Mammals)
Magnorder
Boreoeutheria
Superorder
Euarchontoglires (Primates, Rodents, and Allies)
Order
Rodentia (Rodents)
Suborder
Sciuromorpha (Squirrels, Dormice, and Mountain Beavers)
Family
Sciuridae (Squirrels)
Subfamily
Xerinae (Ground and African Tree Squirrels)
Tribe
Marmotini (Holarctic Ground Squirrels)
Genus
Poliocitellus (Franklin’s Ground Squirrels)
Monotypic genus
Franklin’s ground squirrel is the only species in the genus Poliocitellus.
Subordinate Taxa
Synonyms
Arctomys franklinii
Citellus franklinii
Spermophilus franklinii
Common Names
Franklin’s ground squirrel
gray gopher
Glossary
Pelage
The coat of a mammal, consisting of fur, wool, or hair, and including a soft undercoat and stiff guard hairs.
Visitor Photos
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Elizabeth Johnson |
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I do believe I have a family of these Franklin Ground Squirrels burrowing around my house and living in my Quonset. I just sprayed some rodent spray and threw down some repellant pellets ( nothing toxic) before I knew what exactly they were. Looked to me like a Gopher but longer tail like a squirrel but not fluffy. Anyway, I scared a baby in the Quonset and it had a very unusual cry. Something I've not heard before. I took a couple photos and sent them to my sister who thought it might be a Franklin Ground Squirrel or another one which is found in Minot ND. Here is a photo of the baby. They don't move very fast. I saw an adult by the house and it really didnt more run like a squirrel and seemed pretty unafraid of me. I filled in the holes it made around the egress windows on the house. Hopefully I didnt bury one of them. |
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Jamie Juenemann |
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It has been feeding in our backyard for about three weeks now. Drives our dog crazy as it stays just out of reach! |
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April |
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First appeared 8-2-23 counted 8 eating with birds and chipmunks. |
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Lane Keller |
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From mid-April to beginning of October you often find this type rodent running around in the state park for scraps of food to store for winter. One of few places in Minnesota I recall finding the Franklin’s Ground Squirrel often. |
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Becky Utecht |
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Lisa Olson-McDonald |
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Very tame ground squirrel near the entrance of the Rustic Cabin Shop. |
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Lynn Rubey |
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A Franklin's Ground Squirrel in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge between Pool 7 and the West Pool. This one seemed very curious about us but also a bit wary. |
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A Franklin's Ground Squirrel foraging for leaves in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge before disappearing in the under brush along side the auto tour road. Franklin's ground squirrel (Poliocitellus franklinii) is a species of squirrel native to North America, and the only member of the genus Poliocitellus. Due to the destruction of prairie, the populations of Franklin's ground squirrel have dwindled, approaching levels of concern. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
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Slideshows
Visitor Videos
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Other Videos
Franklin's Ground Squirrel (Sciuridae: Poliocitellus/Spermophilus franklinii) Showing Caution
Carl Barrentine
Visitor Sightings
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Darren Capra
8/1/2025
Location:Wagner Township, Aitkin County
family of 8. Six little ones. One very fond and loves almonds.
Elizabeth Johnson
7/17/2025
I do believe I have a family of these Franklin Ground Squirrels burrowing around my house and living in my Quonset. I just sprayed some rodent spray and threw down some repellant pellets ( nothing toxic) before I knew what exactly they were. Looked to me like a Gopher but longer tail like a squirrel but not fluffy. Anyway, I scared a baby in the Quonset and it had a very unusual cry. Something I've not heard before. I took a couple photos and sent them to my sister who thought it might be a Franklin Ground Squirrel or another one which is found in Minot ND. Here is a photo of the baby. They don't move very fast. I saw an adult by the house and it really didnt more run like a squirrel and seemed pretty unafraid of me. I filled in the holes it made around the egress windows on the house. Hopefully I didnt bury one of them.
Michael Liston
9/19/2024
Location: Fall Lake Campground outside Winton, Mn
Stephen Phillips
7/8/2024
Location: Two Harbors, MN, Under my firepit deck, where it’s cooler (12x12, isolated from heat by several inches of concrete), adjacent to multiple avian feeding stations
Several entrances have been created, with adjacent lush vegetation: He joins the rabbits, squirrels, skunks, (avoids the fox and the occasional feral cat) to enjoy a banquet of sliced apples and mini-carrots in the evenings… and during the day happily accompanies the flocks of pigeons, grackles, European starlings, BlueJays, Grosbeaks, Orioles, Gold Finches, Wood Ducks and other assorted species that feast several time a day in the yard… costs more than I spend on myself and my many rescued companion animals!
Jamie Juenemann
5/13/2024
Location: Two Harbors
It has been feeding in our backyard for about three weeks now. Drives our dog crazy as it stays just out of reach!
Macy Joa
9/17/2023
Location: Near Cromwell
We saw one watching us for about a half hour as we worked on chipping tree branches near our outhouse. He/ she was curious but cautious.
April
8/2/2023
Location: Pine County, Sandstone MN
First appeared 8-2-23 counted 8 eating with birds and chipmunks.
Tara
7/28/2023
Location: Hill City MN
There are about a dozen of them living in my dads yard.
Ruth M King
7/17/2023
Location: Gooseberry Falls State Park
Six of these guys were begging food underneath and around a picnic table near the shelter near the river mouth and Lake.
Fred T
6/25/2023
Location: Larsmont, MN
Three animals sited on lake side of Hwy 61
Eli Jutz
5/20/2023
Location: New Prague
Anne
8/18/2022
Location: South Birch Lake near Babbitt.
Patricia Kuper
7/25/2022
Location: Remer Mn
He lives under my wife and I shed.
Liz Auchter
7/22/2022
Location: Hwy 35 near Wrenchall (Carleton County) at a rest stop heading north.
Several spotted surrounding bathrooms. Very friendly and confident around people.
Birgitta Anderson
5/10/2022
Location: Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
near the backpacking campsites.
Lane Keller
5/5/2022
Location: Lake Bemidji State Park
From mid-April to beginning of October you often find this type rodent running around in the state park for scraps of food to store for winter. One of few places in Minnesota I recall finding the Franklin’s Ground Squirrel often.
Becky Utecht
7/25/2021
Location: Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground
Lisa
Olson-McDonald
6/9/2021
Location: On the lawn in front of the Rustic Cabin Shop (8 miles south or Orr, Hwy 53)
Very tame, was grazing near the front door of the store.
Lynn Rubey
6/24/2019
Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge
A Franklin's Ground Squirrel in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge between Pool 7 and the West Pool. This one seemed very curious about us but also a bit wary.
Lynn Rubey
6/22/2019
Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge
A Franklin's Ground Squirrel foraging for leaves in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge before disappearing in the under brush along side the auto tour road. Franklin's ground squirrel (Poliocitellus franklinii) is a species of squirrel native to North America, and the only member of the genus Poliocitellus. Due to the destruction of prairie, the populations of Franklin's ground squirrel have dwindled, approaching levels of concern.
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
