Where Does the Thirteen Lined Ground Squirrel Live?
If you’ve been wondering where does the thirteen-lined ground squirrel live, read this article! It covers its life cycle, habitat, and predators. Then, you’ll know where to spot them! Here are some helpful tips:
13-lined ground squirrel
Thirteen-lined ground squirrels are polygynous, meaning that one male mates with multiple females. The first male to mate with a mother produces approximately seventy percent of the litters. They come out of hibernation before their female counterparts and begin breeding two weeks after. Mating generally takes place in mid-April. When they’re born, the thirteen-lined ground squirrel weighs approximately one-tenth of an ounce. The young weigh three to four grams when they are born and are weaned at six to 12 weeks.
The thirteen-lined ground squirrel prefers open, flat grasslands and fields. It has become adapted to lawns and other lawns, and is sometimes found alongside the mowed borders of many roads. Its diet consists mainly of fruits and berries, but it also consumes agricultural crops. Unfortunately, most of its damage is limited to harvest season. Where does the thirteen-lined ground squirrel live?
Life cycle
The life cycle of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel is simple: It spends most of its waking hours in burrows, while sleeping and hibernating at night. It has excellent eyesight and is highly territorial, so it will defend its burrows. It gains weight during the autumn months, and hibernates from August to March. The thirteen-lined ground squirrel has excellent hearing and vision, and its special odors help identify the species.
The time of day and night of the 13-lined ground squirrel is regulated by the endogenous circannual clock. This entrainment of light is important for the species’ natural circadian rhythms. It also influences torpor timing, ambient temperature, and age, and sex. The time of year varies by individual species, demonstrating genetic variation. A map of the 13-lined ground squirrel’s annual cycle can be found below.
Habitat
The thirteen lined ground squirrel is a small rodent with stripes that alternate between dark and light colors. It has large eyes and small ears set low on its head. Its tail is slightly bushy. These animals live in the Midwest and are often sighted along roadsides. Its habitat includes grassy areas and dry grass. It is found in forests and prairies and has adapted to urban and agricultural development. The 13 lined ground squirrel is the smallest rodent of its kind, with a tail that measures about 11 inches long. The male and female thirteen liner can weigh five to nine pounds.
The thirteen lined ground squirrel is a rodent found in Kansas. Its body is long and has short ears. Its tail is sparsely bushy and can reach up to 132mm. It has an elongated body and a small head and a sharply pointed nose. The thirteen lined ground squirrel is a carnivore and is a host of a number of ectoparasites. It molts twice a year. The male thirteen-lined ground squirrel is slightly larger than the female, and is similar in color to its adult counterpart. It can grow to be up to 222mm long, with a tail that can reach a length of 118-125mm. Its hind foot is 31-37mm long, and it weighs approximately 115 to 120 grams.
Predators
Where does the thirteen lined ground squirrel live? Unlike other ground squirrels, this species is solitary, and it rarely warns other animals about danger. However, mothers do sound the alarm when predators are nearby by calling to their foraging babies. This behavior will not occur if the litter is not out foraging. Single males tend to call less frequently than females. Here are a few interesting facts about the thirteen lined ground squirrel:
Thirteen-lined ground squirrels live mainly in open areas with short grass and drier soils. They tend to stay away from wooded areas, but will frequently be found on parks, cemeteries, and mowed lawns. Though they live in packs, these animals do not form colonies. They are typically solitary, though they may live close together in a given area.
Fences to control them
This ground squirrel can cause considerable damage to crops, especially in crop-prone areas. This rodent’s burrows and digging holes are often very deep, and repeated filling of entrance holes will not make the animals abandon the area. While the costs of damage are difficult to assess, they can add up to significant losses, especially when numbers increase. In addition to damaging crops, this rodent also hosts a variety of ectoparasites, making it an ideal pest control choice.
A common way to prevent ground squirrels from causing damage is to install a fence around your property. While the effectiveness of a fence in reducing ground squirrel activity is still unclear, some studies show that fences can reduce activity by 90% in Belding’s ground squirrels. To be effective, fences should be buried at least three feet deep and extend two feet above the ground. While fencing is expensive in the short run, this method could prove to be effective for years to come.
Where does the 13 lined ground squirrel live?
The 13 lined ground squirrel lives in North America.
What kind of habitat does the 13 lined ground squirrel live in?
The 13 lined ground squirrel lives in prairies meadows and grasslands.
What is the scientific name for the 13 lined ground squirrel?
The scientific name for the 13 lined ground squirrel is Ictidomys tridecemlineatus.
What does the 13 lined ground squirrel eat?
The 13 lined ground squirrel eats grasses seeds and insects.
How long is the 13 lined ground squirrel?
The 13 lined ground squirrel is about 10 inches long.
How much does the 13 lined ground squirrel weigh?
The 13 lined ground squirrel weighs about 4 ounces.
What is the life span of the 13 lined ground squirrel?
The life span of the 13 lined ground squirrel is about 2-5 years.
How many lines does the 13 lined ground squirrel have?
The 13 lined ground squirrel has 13 stripes.
What is the predators of the 13 lined ground squirrel?
The predators of the 13 lined ground squirrel are hawks owls coyotes and foxes.
Does the 13 lined ground squirrel hibernate?
Yes the 13 lined ground squirrel hibernates.
When does the 13 lined ground squirrel hibernate?
The 13 lined ground squirrel hibernates from October to March.
How long does the 13 lined ground squirrel hibernate?
The 13 lined ground squirrel hibernates for about 7-8 months.
Where does the 13 lined ground squirrel hibernate?
The 13 lined ground squirrel hibernates in burrows.
How many young does the 13 lined ground squirrel have?
The 13 lined ground squirrel has 4-6 young.
When is the 13 lined ground squirrel born?
The 13 lined ground squirrel is born in April or May.
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.
