A Uinta ground squirrel on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. Uinta Ground Squirrels can live seven years or longer, but few live more than four years. Predation is an important factor, nearly every predator eats them. Predators include badgers, which may account for more than a quarter of the deaths in a population annually, short and long tailed weasels, coyotes, and birds of prey. When they emerge from hibernation in the spring, Uinta ground squirrels feed on new, green vegetation. This green vegetation dries up in the summer, and the ground squirrels switch to a diet of seeds, putting on weight in preparation for an amazing nine month hibernation. They enter hibernation around mid July and are only active above ground for about 3 months out of the year.