The Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel is a favorite of tourists, and the feeling is mutual — he is an inveterate beggar who loves to share a picnic. Remember, NEVER feed the wildlife. The Golden Mantled is often confused with the smaller chipmunk (of which there are many species in the Sierra Nevada). You can tell it's a Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel because the stripes to not run past the shoulders.

These guys max out the cute scale and they tend to be less jittery than the chipmunk, so easier to observe.