Richardson ground squirrels are found across the North American prairies and are often mistaken for gophers, or prairie dogs. It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between the ground squirrel and the Black-tailed prairie dog because they quickly disappear into the ground before you can get a good look. Perhaps the easiest way to identify which animal you are looking at is to check out the burrow. Gophers have crescent shaped holes that they plug at the top, creating a mound of dirt, while ground squirrels have open burrows that are about 5 inches/12.5cm in diameter. Richardson ground squirrels are mostly herbivores but will occasionally feed on insects like ants making them omnivores. Interestingly, Richardson ground squirrels were a popular pet choice in the 1700s.
Zoo Note: Please do not feed the animals. Feeding wild animals encourages them to get closer to people and sometimes become dependent on people for food. Ground squirrels can carry diseases, and some have been observed going into strollers looking for food.