Food Habits of Two Sympatric Colorado Sciurids

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Abstract
The golden-mantled ground squirrel (Citellus lateralis lateralis) and the least chipmunk (Eutamias minimus consobrinus) were studied in the mountains of west central Colorado where the two species are sympatric and display marked similarities in habitat selection, life cycles and general behavior patterns. Detailed investigation of the energy relationships and food habits of these animals, including field observations, stomach-content analyses and food preference tests, demonstrated a slight divergence in general food preferences and a profound dependence by both species upon the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) for summer food. This plant provided more than 80% of the June–August diet of both chipmunk and mantled squirrel. The chipmunk preferred and consumed the flowers, seeds, and seed-laden heads of the dandelion, while the mantled squirrel preferred the stems and rarely ate the heads or seeds. These behavior patterns effectively removed, in part, the two sciurids from direct competition for energy sources in summer although their foraging territories greatly overlapped.

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