05/03/2026
More Than Just “Gophers”: Prairie Ground Squirrels Matter
They’re often called “gophers,” but Richardson's ground squirrels play a much bigger role on Alberta’s prairies than most people realize.
These small animals are considered a keystone species — meaning their presence supports an entire web of prairie life.
Here’s why they matter:
🦅 Food for wildlife
Ground squirrels are a critical food source for many species, including hawks, foxes, badgers and coyotes.
🕳️ Homes for others
Their burrows don’t just house squirrels, they provide shelter for insects, reptiles, amphibians, and other mammals. Some species depend on these burrows to survive.
🌱 Natural soil engineers
By digging and tunneling, ground squirrels help:
- Aerate the soil
- Improve water infiltration
- Cycle nutrients
🌾 Supporting prairie health
Their activity creates small patches of disturbed ground, which helps maintain plant diversity and provides space for native species to establish.
It’s easy to overlook them, or even see them as pests, but prairie ecosystems depend on species like ground squirrels to function.
🐾 When we protect native prairie, we’re also protecting the many species, big and small, that keep it alive.
