growling. However, it is generally not a very vocal species. Predators of this squirrel include snakes, foxes, weasels, and bears. It may carry the Rocky Mountain wood tick, a vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other diseases. Conservation This is a common and widespread species that is not considered to be threatened. References External links NatureServe. 2017. Callospermophilus lateralis. NatureServe Explorer V.7.1 Accessed 6 September 2017. Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel. North American Mammals. Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Callospermophilus Fauna of the Northwestern United States Fauna of the Southwestern United States Mammals of Canada Mammals of the United States Fauna of the California chaparral and woodlands Fauna of the Great Basin Fauna of the Rocky Mountains Fauna of the Sierra Nevada (United States) Mammals described in 1823