In Montana the Columbian ground squirrel is a known reservoir of Rocky Mountain spotted fever ([Birdseye], 1912: 1-46) while sylvatic plague has been reported in this species in Oregon ([Meyer], 1936: 965). Control of the Columbian ground squirrel by traps, poison, and shooting is only locally successful.
Citellus columbianus columbianus (Ord)
Arctomys columbianus Ord, Guthrie's Geography, 2d American Edition, 2:292 (description, p. 303), 1815.
Spermophilus columbianus [Merriam], N. Amer. Fauna, 5:39, July 30, 1891.
Citellus columbianus [Allen], Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 19:536, October 10, 1903.
Type.—None designated. Description based on Lewis and Clark's account of animals taken by them between the forks of the Clearwater and Kooskooskie rivers, Idaho.
Racial characters.—Smaller size and paler color than in ruficaudus.
Measurements.—Five females from northeastern Washington average: total length 346; length of tail 77; hind foot 48.6; ear 20.
Distribution.—Northeastern Washington, from 15 mi. E. Tonasket (W. W. D.) east to Pass Creek Pass (U. S. N. M.) and south to Pullman (W. S. C.) along the eastern edge of the state.