As with the ground squirrels of lower areas, the summer diet consists largely of whatever starts to grow first. During late spring, grass, buds, young leaves, and flowers are eaten. Later, seeds of the annuals are gathered, berries are taken whenever possible, and insects often form a considerable part of the diet. As fall comes on, acorns, pine nuts, and a great number of smaller seeds and fruits become available. At this time the ground squirrels must not only lay on enough fat to maintain themselves through hibernation, but must also store away enough food to tide them over between the time of their emergence and the appearance of new growth. Evidently this is an adaptation forced upon them by the exceptionally long winter season. Most rodents which lay on coats of fat preparatory to hibernation depend almost entirely on it to carry them through. With a hibernating period of from 5 to 7 months, however, it is not difficult to realize the problems this ground squirrel must face. Though the golden-mantled ground squirrel resembles the chipmunks in appearance, its temperament is quite different. Chipmunks are bright, nervous little sprites, always pursuing their activities with explosive energy. The ground squirrels move more sedately, as though they had planned every move and there was no hurry. They love to lie in the sun in some exposed place and watch the rest of the world go by. In habitat, too, the species differ materially. Chipmunks choose thick undergrowth where they can go about their business unobserved. Ground squirrels prefer more exposed locations where they take their chances in the open, but with one eye always cocked aloft as insurance against attack by hawk or eagle. Creatures of the earth, they are always reluctant to climb. Rarely do they ascend more than a few feet, and then only to reach some especially toothsome delicacy that their keen noses have detected in a low shrub or small tree. With its wide distribution, visitors to the southwestern mountains can hardly fail to notice this golden-headed member of the ground squirrel family. It is easily tamed; too easily in fact for, like the chipmunk, it can quickly wear out its welcome. In many of the National Parks and Monuments they compete with chipmunks for the crumbs around camp sites and picnic tables. Visitors find their cunning way irresistible and feed them despite warnings to the contrary. Because they do tame so easily there is always danger that some well-meaning person will attempt to pick them up. This can lead to unpleasant results. Their long sharp incisors can inflict a serious wound.