A small ground squirrel marked with 13 alternating brown and tan stripes down its back, hence the name. Hibernates 6+ months, lowering body temperature to near freezing.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The thirteen-lined ground squirrel, also known as the striped gopher, leopard ground squirrel, and squinny, is a species of hibernating ground squirrel that is widely distributed over grasslands and prairies of North America.
Source: Wikipedia — Thirteen-lined ground squirrel Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small striped ground squirrel with 13 longitudinal pale stripes alternating with darker bands.
Similar species. Other striped ground squirrels (different stripe counts or patterns).
Voice. Sharp alarm whistles.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Seeds, nuts, fruits, insects.
Behavior. Common ground squirrel of central US prairies. Hibernates 6+ months. Distinctive 13-stripe pattern.
§ Range
Great Plains and prairies from Alberta to Texas
§ Habitat
Shortgrass and mixed-grass prairie, mowed lawns, golf courses
§ Threats
Habitat loss, lawn pesticides, secondary rodenticide effects on predators.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the thirteen-lined ground squirrel is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Maintain native grassland. Skip lawn pesticides. Don't poison ground squirrels (predators control them).
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Thirteen-lined ground squirrel
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Ictidomys tridecemlineatus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 42466
- iNaturalist · taxon 46022
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Ictidomys tridecemlineatus
§ Sources cited
- American Society of Mammalogists
- National Park Service
- IUCN Red List 2016
