If you've "transformed" into a golden-mantled ground squirrel, the first step is to determine if you are injured or in distress. If you are injured, contact your local animal shelter or wildlife rehabilitation center immediately. If you are not injured, observe your surroundings and try to assess if you are in a safe location or if you need to find a more suitable habitat.
If Injured:
Seek Professional Help:
If you are injured, a wildlife rehabilitation center or your local animal shelter can provide necessary medical care and assess your condition.
If Not Injured:
- 1. Observe Your Surroundings:
Identify potential dangers like predators (cats, dogs, birds of prey) or human activity.
- 2. Find a Safe Habitat:
Look for a place with food sources (nuts, seeds, fungi, insects, or even the occasional egg or dead animal) and shelter (burrows, trees). Golden-mantled ground squirrels are known to dig burrows and forage for food.
- 3. Avoid Human Contact:
While it's tempting to interact with a fascinating creature like yourself, try to avoid contact with humans and pets. Remember, according to the SPCA de Montréal, it's important not to encourage human interaction, and don't feed them.
- 4. Consider Your Diet:
As a golden-mantled ground squirrel, you naturally eat a variety of foods like fungi, leaves, seeds, nuts, roots, and occasionally insects or small animals.