Welcome to Ground Squirrel Removal

The California ground squirrel , also called Spermophilus beecheyi, can live up to around 6 years in the wild and as long as 10 years in captivity. Female squirrels usually give birth to 5–8 young each year, though research shows litter sizes can range anywhere from 1 to 15. The juveniles come out of the burrow at about 6 weeks old and reach full adult size within 7–8 months.

During winter, ground squirrels generally remain underground in a deeply inactive state known as torpor—similar to hibernation—where their breathing, heart rate, and body temperature drop significantly. In Southern California, however, the warm climate often keeps them active all year long. Some groups may still enter hibernation, while others don’t hibernate at all. For those that do, emergence typically occurs from late January through early spring (February to April), once the weather begins to warm.