Wyoming ground squirrels construct and live in underground burrows. Squirrels stay in their burrows at night and during the warmest part of summer days. The burrow is the center of a ground squirrel's activity. The squirrels enter their burrows in late July or early August and hibernate underground until the following March or April. Males usually come above ground one to three weeks before the females.
Breeding takes place one to four days after females emerge from hibernation.
Only one litter is produced each year. The young are weaned at five weeks and are above ground foraging by June. Density of Wyoming ground squirrel populations can range from two ground squirrels per acre before young are born in the spring, to 20 or more animals per acre in early June when juveniles and adults are active. Predators include bullsnakes, coyotes, foxes, badgers, weasels and hawks. Health Risks Ground squirrels are hosts for fleas and may act as carriers for bubonic plague.