The Columbian ground squirrel (Urocitellus columbianus) is a species of rodent common in certain regions of Canada and the northwestern United States.

It is the second largest member of the genus Urocitellus, which is part of the tribe Marmotini, along with marmots, chipmunks, prairie dogs, and other holarctic ground squirrels.

Social encounters sometimes are initiated with kissing behavior and the most common activity above ground is standing at attention.

The Columbian ground squirrel came to the attention of the scientific community through writings produced by Lewis and Clark, while 21st century molecular genetics has more finely illuminated its ties with other close relatives.

[7] The distribution of the Columbia ground squirrel in Oregon was assessed based on consideration of animals obtained in 71 localities.

The amount of time active varies depending on local climate as well as variations in behavior of animals of different sexes and ages.

[12] Before their first hibernation, newborn Columbian ground squirrels only have a period of a few weeks to wean off their mother's milk.

[15] Because of this, the 27 day lactation period of the mother squirrel is the young's primary opportunity to get the nutrition necessary for surviving hibernation.

Mammalogist Vernon Orlando Bailey examined a Columbia ground squirrel burrow at an elevation of 7,000 ft (2,100 m) near the Piegan Pass in Glacier National Park.

In late July, an adult female was found bringing up fresh soil to the burrow entrance daily.

The animal was removed and the burrow excavated for examination The mound at the entrance consisted of an estimated 8 US gal (0.030 m3) of soil.

Chambers were established and varying intervals throughout the burrow, possibly to allow for storage of earth being excavated or safe haven from predators.

In an adjoining chamber, deeper down in the earth, an older abandoned nest, filled partially with excrement, apparently served as a toilet for the squirrel.

[18]The two types of burrow entrance were also noted by other observers, with one being small and roughly the same diameter as the tunnel itself, while another larger and more funnel shaped.

[19] The amount of soil excavated is around 4–12 kg (8.8–26.5 lb) per year, with an estimated 4–7 m (13–23 ft) of annual tunnel construction to established burrows.

[10] Columbian ground squirrel activity patterns are sensitive to climate and ambient light, avoiding cloudy days, cold winds, and inclement weather.

[12] Columbian ground squirrels, when encountering each other, commonly will touch their mouths and noses together, an act resembling kissing.

[10] C. Hart Merriam, writing in 1891, documented reports of the Columbian ground squirrel's behavior provided by local observers in Idaho.

They were noted to have ample fat supplies when entering burrows to hibernate, but observed to be weak and thin when emerging the following spring.

[19] In Oregon, the Columbian ground squirrel is found primarily in the Blue Mountains, where other characteristic mammal species include: the montane shrew (Sorex monticolus), Belding's ground squirrel (Urocitellus beldingi), the American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), the northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides), the southern red-backed vole (Myodes gapperi), and the western jumping mouse (Zapus princeps).

It was postulated that sympatric species, including northern pocket gophers, deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) might use or raid provisioned burrows.

Other external parasites include the lice Enderleinellus suturalis and Neohaemotopinus laeviusculus; the fleas Neopsylla inopina, Opisocrostis tuberculatus, and Oropsylla idahoensis; the mites Dermacarus heptneri, Androlaelaps fahrenholz, Macrocheles sp., and Pygmephorus erlangensis.

[23] Treatment of female Columbian ground squirrels with flea powder resulted in an improved condition of treated animals.

[24] Predators of the Colombian ground squirrel include the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), coyote (Canis latrans), Pacific marten (Martes caurina), grey wolf (Canis lupus) American badger (Taxidea taxus), weasels (Mustela and Neogale sp.

Predatory birds include the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), and goshawk (Accipiter gentilis).

[25] Richardson described it as a variant of the Arctic ground squirrel, obtained from the Rocky Mountains near the source of the Elk River.

Based on his observations and comparison with the notes of Lewis and Clark, Merriam assessed that the Columbian ground squirrel was not a variant of the Arctic ground squirrel, but a separate species, which he named as Spermophilus columbianus, rejecting the genus designation Arctomys and reapplying the species designation originally applied by Ord in 1815.

[30] N. adocetus N. annulatus A. harrisii A. leucurus A. harrisii A. interpres O. atricapillus O. beecheyi O. variegatus C. saturatus C. lateralis C. madrensis M. monax M. marmota M. flaviventris M. caligata M. olympus M. vancouveriensis M. broweri M. menzbieri M. caudata M. baibacina M. bobak M. camtschatica M. himalayana M. sibirica S. musicus S. pygmaeus S. major S. pygmaeus S. dauricus S. xanthopyrmnus S. suslicus S. citellus S. relictus S. erythrogenys S. citellus S. pallidicauda S. fulvus S. erythrogenys S. major I. mexicanus I. parvidens I. tridecemlineatus P. franklinii C. ludovicianus C. mexicanus C. parvidens C. gunnisoni C. leucurus X. mohavensis X. tereticaudus X. spilosoma X. perotensis X. spilosoma U. townsendii U. washingtonii U. brunnenus U. townsendii U. mollis U. townsendii U. armatus U. beldingi U. columbianus U. undulatus U. parryii U. elegans U. richardsonii U. parryii With the advent of intensive agricultural practices in their range, Columbian ground squirrels came to be seen as pests, negatively impacting harvests of wheat and other crops.

The Citellary was composed of yards that enclosed natural squirrel dens and was 50 by 90 feet, surrounded by a fence.

The reason for this listing is that the animal is widespread and common in its range and no major threats to the survival of the species are identified.