Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

Ictidomys tridecemlineatus

The Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel is a small, lively animal with stripes on its back. They love to dig and play in the grass, making little burrows to live in.

Lebensraum: Grasslands

Aussehen

The Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel is easily recognized by its slender brown fur covered in 13 alternating dark brown stripes and rows of light, cream-colored spots. Its small, pointed ears and short legs give it a sleek appearance.

ReichAnimaliaStammChordataKlasseMammaliaOrdnungRodentiaFamilieSciuridaeGattungIctidomys

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

Kategorie

Säugetiere

Seltenheit

Common

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Snaps

Mach den ersten Snap!

Interessante Fakten

Some people call them "striped gophers" because they live underground!

Their cheek pouches can stretch huge to carry lots of collected snacks.

These squirrels can run in a zig-zag pattern to confuse quick predators.

They can enter a deep sleep called torpor even during summer's heat!

Besondere Fähigkeiten

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels can hibernate for over half a year, slowing their body to survive cold winters without food.

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels can dig extensive burrows underground, which provide safe homes and escape routes.

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels have a sharp, high-pitched whistle that helps them warn others of danger.

Maße und Details

Länge: 17-30 cm
Gewicht: 0.11-0.25 kg
Lebenserwartung: 2-5 Jahre
Top Speed: 20 km/h
Wurfgröße: 2-15
Tragzeit: 28 Tage

Ernährung und Fütterung

These omnivores munch on seeds, insects, and plants, keeping their energy up for active days!

Hauptnahrung

Seeds
Grasshoppers
Grubs
Green Plants
Bird Eggs

Nahrungssuche

Foraging

Ökologische Zusammenhänge

eaten by

Coyote

Canis latrans

A common predator in grassland habitats.

eaten by

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Hunts ground squirrels from above in open fields.

eaten by

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

Preys on squirrels and their young in burrows.

eats

Two-striped Grasshopper

Melanoplus bivittatus

Feeds on various insects, including grasshoppers.

eats

Corn

Zea mays

Opportunistically eats seeds from agricultural crops.

Merkmale

Pelzig

Pelzig beschreibt Tiere, die eine dichte Schicht aus weichen Haaren oder Fell besitzen.

Gestreift

Gekennzeichnet durch parallele Farbstreifen oder -linien.

Sozial

Soziale Tiere leben in organisierten Gruppen und kooperieren, um ihr Überleben zu sichern, beispielsweise bei der Nahrungssuche, Verteidigung und Aufzucht der Jungen.

Graben

Grabende Tiere heben Tunnel und Kammern im Erdboden aus und nutzen diese unterirdischen Strukturen als Unterschlupf, zur Jagd oder zur Fortpflanzung.

Grasland

Grasland-Lebensräume sind terrestrische Biome, die von Gräsern und krautigen Pflanzen dominiert werden und einer Vielzahl von Weidetieren als Lebensraum dienen.