What is the Habitat of a Ground Squirrel?
The first thing to know about ground squirrels is that they often live in complex burrows. These tunnels are about two to four feet deep and thirty feet or more long, and they are designed for resting, hiding, and rearing their young. While ground squirrel burrows are a great place for the creatures to live, they can be dangerous for humans, livestock, and plants. Here are some tips to keep them out of your yard.
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Burrows
The California ground squirrel uses three distinct calls to advertise an approaching predator. One of these calls is an alarm that will warn other ground squirrels and confuse the snake, while the other two are not. In addition, the ground squirrel’s tail is filled with extra blood to heat up, which rattles the rattlesnake’s sensitive pits. It is not known which one will get closer to the ground squirrel or if they will both start to scurry for refuge.
Although ground squirrels live underground, they build large mounds outside their burrows. The mounds they create are trademarks of ground squirrels. This has led to the ground squirrel being targeted by pest control efforts. Because ground squirrel burrows are underground, they are often near buildings and other uncultivated areas. In addition, they tend to avoid areas with long grass and shrubs. However, this does not mean they do not exist.
Open, well-drained habitat
The ground squirrel has several different uses, including a variety of food sources. These animals are important prey for a variety of carnivores, including snakes and raptors. They also host many ectoparasites. Their social behavior varies depending on their body size. Large-bodied ground squirrels tend to be more social than smaller ones. The marmot, on the other hand, lives at high elevations and forms large family groups. Hoary marmots are very social, and live with a single adult male and several females in a family group of up to 35 animals.
The habitat for ground squirrels varies depending on the region. They prefer areas with little to no vegetation and are discouraged by tall vegetation. This can increase rodent and vole problems. Moreover, ground squirrels may damage crops if allowed to live in high-density vegetation. Deep tilling of the soil may disrupt their habitats and destroy their dens. Blocking their holes repeatedly will not discourage them.
Damage to plants
Although a ground squirrel is not usually responsible for extensive damage to plants, it can still destroy crops and homes. These pests like to eat freshly planted seeds and sprouting plants and can weaken earthen dikes. These pests are typically brownish gray and have 13 stripes down their bodies. Juveniles are darker than adults and are approximately four to five inches long. Ground squirrels are most common in spring and summer, and they are typically born in May or June.
If you have landscaping and fruit trees, a ground squirrel is likely to cause damage. Ground squirrels will gnaw the bark off of trees, especially ornamental ones. They also eat fruit, whole seedlings, and vegetables, and may destroy lawns and plants. During the fall, when they prepare for the winter, they will dig up newly planted bulbs. These pests will also damage your garden’s soil and lawn.
Predation
California ground squirrels are widespread in California. Their habitat is alpine dwarf-shrub. They may invade croplands. This species is endemic to the western United States, but there are no special conservation practices for this species. In some instances, human activity may be responsible for the population size and habitat destruction of ground squirrels. In recent years, efforts to control ground squirrel populations have cost several hundred thousand dollars. The cost of controlling ground squirrel populations is largely justified by crop damage and disease outbreaks, but the costs have been too great.
There are many predators that prey on ground squirrels. These species are small, gnawing mammals that have become a popular source of food for other animals. Fortunately, they are not easily hunted by humans. In some cases, the aforementioned predators are unable to take advantage of ground squirrels. Nonetheless, humans can help prevent this from happening by protecting ground squirrels in their habitat.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
