NPS Photo of a Douglas squirrel at Mount Rainier.
On Squirrel Appreciation Day, shout out to the squirrels of Mount Rainier! In addition to the Douglas squirrel and northern flying squirrel, members of the squirrel family (Sciuridae) found in the park also include the hoary marmot, golden-mantled ground squirrel, Townsend’s chipmunk, and yellow pine chipmunk.
NPS Photos of a hoary marmot (left) and Townsend's chipmunk (right) at Mount Rainier.
Some species are found in Mount Rainier’s forests, while others thrive in the subalpine meadows. Many of them hibernate in winter, with marmots hibernating eight to nine months a year! The nocturnal flying squirrel eats mostly lichen and fungi, while others like the Townsend’s chipmunk have a diverse diet including anything from roots, bulbs, seeds, berries, and fungi to insects, eggs, and even carrion. Each squirrel species plays a role in the ecosystem of the mountain, sometimes becoming food for other predator species in the park.
What is your favorite Mount Rainier squirrel?
