Spotted Ground Squirrel

Xerospermophilus spilosoma

The Spotted Ground Squirrel is a small, playful animal with a spotted coat. They love to dig and can often be seen running around in grassy areas, looking for food and playing with friends.

Hábitat: Grasslands

Aspecto

The Spotted Ground Squirrel has a slender body with brownish-grey fur covered in distinct small white spots. It has a relatively short, thin tail compared to tree squirrels. Its light belly helps it blend into the sandy ground.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloChordataClaseMammaliaOrdenRodentiaFamiliaSciuridaeGéneroXerospermophilus

Spotted Ground Squirrel

Categoría

Mamíferos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Some can go a whole year without drinking water, getting it all from their food!

These squirrels sometimes share their burrows with rattlesnakes, oddly enough!

They collect food in special cheek pouches that can stretch bigger than their head!

They seal their burrow entrances with dirt to nap safely inside!

Habilidades especiales

Spotted Ground Squirrels can dig burrows quickly that help them hide from predators and escape the desert heat.

Spotted Ground Squirrels can stand tall on their hind legs to watch for danger, alerting others with chirps.

Spotted Ground Squirrels can enter estivation, a deep sleep that helps them survive hot, dry times with little food.

Spotted Ground Squirrels have a spotted coat that helps them blend perfectly into their rocky or sandy surroundings.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 20-28 cm
Peso: 0.1-0.25 kg
Esperanza de vida: 2-5 años
Top Speed: 25 km/h
Tamaño de la camada: 4-12
Gestación: 25-30 días

Dieta y alimentación

These tiny omnivores munch on seeds, plants, and bugs they find on the ground!

Alimentos principales

Seeds
Grasses
Leaves
Cactus fruit
Insects

Método de búsqueda

Foraging

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

Coyote

Canis latrans

A primary predator in its habitat.

eaten by

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Hunts them from the sky.

eaten by

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox

Predates them both in burrows and above ground.

eats

Engelmann Prickly Pear

Opuntia engelmannii

Feeds on its fruits and pads for food and water.

Rasgos

Peludo

Peludo describe a los animales que poseen una cubierta densa de pelo o pelaje suave.

Manchado

Marcado con manchas o parches de un color diferente.

Social

Los animales sociales viven en grupos organizados, cooperando para obtener beneficios de supervivencia como la búsqueda de alimento, la defensa y la cría de descendencia.