Richardson’s Ground Squirrel
In 1815, George Ord published his first scientific taxonomy of frogs and assigned the species the specific epithet columbianus. However, Lewis and Clark did not find this species on the Columbia River. Instead, they discovered it in a moist meadow in the Bitterroot Mountains. However, they were wrong about its location. In fact, the frog was first discovered in the Bitterroot Mountains, and not on the Columbia River.
Location of the richardson’s ground squirrel
Richardson’s ground squirrels are small and often very elusive. They have pinkish, cinnamon-colored coats with a black dappled posterior. Richardson’s ground squirrels have small, dappled tails that are counter shadowed. Adult males are larger than females and tend to weigh more than females, which are usually involved in nesting sites. The squirrel is a very cute animal, but compared to other types of ground squirrels, you might not get to see it in the wild.
The distribution of the Richardson’s ground squirrel has not been determined definitively, although researchers have found many signs of it. Some of the best research has come from Yeaton’s study of the animal’s social behaviour in Saskatchewan. This work has helped to determine where to find these cute little mammals. Using satellite tags, you can find this small rodent and its territory. Just remember to never disturb it.
Hibernation period
Adult female Richardson’s ground squirrels spend eighty-four percent of their lives in subterranean chambers. Females spend part of their gestation period sleeping in their future hibernaculum, but during the active season they never use it. During the hibernation period, females prepare their chambers by interring themselves in the hibernaculum. Once they are in hibernation, they remain in this chamber until they awaken in a blind tunnel to the surface.
Female Richardson’s ground squirrels give birth to a litter of one to five young per year. The young are born in late April or May and remain underground until they are about 30 days old. At this time, the mother stays underground with them and visits them several times a day. When they are in the burrow, they do not feed or scratch the ground. Mothers feed their young and keep them warm, so they are able to avoid predators.
Habitat
A survey of the habitat of Richardson’s ground squirrels in Alberta, Canada, found that they live in dense forests. Their social structure is organized around female kinship and is highly territorial near their nests. They live in colonies and emit audible alarm calls when a predator approaches. Richardson’s ground squirrels make two distinct audible alarm calls: a whistle and chirp.
Among the threats facing the species are recreational hunting and poisoning to manage colonies. The Richardson’s ground squirrel is susceptible to plague, although no confirmed cases have been recorded in the state. While no ongoing research studies exist, previous studies indicate that the species may be under threat. In 2005, the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center conducted a distribution study of this species. In 2002 and 2005, the U.S. Forest Service mapped colonies of Richardson’s ground squirrels. Similarly, the University of North Dakota conducted a reproduction study in 1975.
While the Richardson’s ground squirrel prefers intact blocks of rangeland and well-grazed pastures, they also enjoy areas adjacent to agricultural fields. The Richardson’s ground squirrel can be seen occasionally, but they are not widely common compared to other species of squirrel. This is because it lives mostly underground and is not easily spotted, unlike their tree-shrew cousins. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find habitat for the species.
Distribution
The distribution of the Richardson’s ground squirrel was first mapped in 2001 by the Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversity Boards and the Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Department. This survey was based on a playback alarm call study of Richardson’s ground squirrels. The researchers studied the species’ acoustic behaviors and their response to predation risk. Further research on the species’ metabolism of toxins was published in the Journal of Pest Science.
The distribution of the Richardson’s ground squirrel in Canada was studied by collecting faecal samples from individuals who were either trap-shy or -bold. While these results are promising, it is still unclear whether faecal glucocorticoids and the stress response are related. Additionally, the researchers don’t know if social buffering plays a role in the trait, but the results suggest that it might.
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.
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