Spotted Ground Squirrel
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Subfamily
Tribe
SPECIES
Xerospermophilus spilosoma
Population size
Unknown
Life Span
2-3 years
Weight
166-195
5.9-6.9
goz
g oz 
Length
185-253
7.3-10
mminch
mm inch 

The spotted ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus spilosoma ) is a species of ground squirrel in the rodent family Sciuridae. It is found throughout Mexico and the central and western United States. Characterized by a white spotted back, the spotted ground squirrel is one of the smallest squirrels found in North America. They are mainly herbivorous, but also eat insects. A burrowing mammal, the spotted ground squirrel will make tunnels to store its food, as well as shelter and hibernation quarters.

Di

Diurnal

Cr

Crepuscular

He

Herbivore

Fo

Folivore

Gr

Granivore

Li

Lignivore

Te

Terrestrial

Al

Altricial

Bu

Burrowing

Fo

Fossorial

So

Social

Co

Colonial

No

Not a migrant

Hi

Hibernating

S

starts with

Appearance

Spotted ground squirrels are one of the smallest squirrels that inhabit the northern hemisphere. They have many white linear dorsal spots, as well as a white underbelly. The coloration of the rest of their body varies greatly and can be different shades of brown, black, gray and white. Spotted ground squirrels molt each year. Fur color can be influenced by environmental surrounds, and populations that live in soil rich areas tend to have darker colorings than those living in grassland.

Video

Distribution

Geography

Spotted ground squirrels are found throughout Mexico and the central and western United States. Their range extends from south-central South Dakota, through Nebraska. It's also found in eastern Colorado, northwestern Oklahoma, western Texas, eastern Arizona, western Kansas, the large majority of New Mexico and the southeastern part of Utah. In Mexico, they occur in the south and central Mexico. Spotted ground squirrels live in areas of deep sand soils where vegetation is sparse and scattered. They inhabit sand hills and dunes. Their burrows are usually found on short grass mesa's or along the banks of rivers.

Spotted Ground Squirrel habitat map

Climate zones

Spotted Ground Squirrel habitat map

Habits and Lifestyle

Spotted ground squirrels are social creatures that are active during the day. These animals live in burrows which they dig themselves. Within their burrow systems, they make tunnels to store the food, as well as shelter and hibernation quarters. Each burrow has two or more entrances which are hidden under bushes or grass. Spotted ground squirrels forage in the cooler part of the morning and afternoon, and try to stay not far from entrance to their burrow, into which they easily escape if threatened. The rest time is dedicated to alert calls, resting, sun bathing, and grooming. These squirrels have 7 different alert postures used to warn others about predators or to guide the territory from other males during mating seasons. Hibernation time for these little animals begins in late July and lasts until April and May. Seasonal activity occurs in April/May through July/August and is estimated to be 115-135 days for males and 95-125 days for females.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Spotted ground squirrels are herbivores and feed on seeds and green plant parts. In the spring, they consume green grass shoots and in the summer they eat flowers and seeds of green plants. In the late summer, these squirrels may also feed on grasshopper larvae.

Mating Habits

REPRODUCTION SEASON
from mid-April to mid-July
PREGNANCY DURATION
24 days
BABY CARRYING
4-12 pups
INDEPENDENT AGE
2 to 3 weeks
FEMALE NAME
doe
MALE NAME
buck
BABY NAME
pup, kit, kitten

Little is known about the mating system in Spotted ground squirrels. During their breeding season, males display one of the main above ground activity. It is a 'frenzy' like pattern when males enter and exit their burrows sporadically, which is most likely a type of courting behavior. The breeding season begins in mid-April, a few weeks after hibernation and lasts until mid-July. Females give birth to 4-12 babies after the gestation period that lasts around 24 days. Young depend on their mother within 2-3 weeks after they came out from their home burrow.

Population

Population threats

There are no major threats to Spotted ground squirrels at present.

Population number

According to IUCN, the Spotted ground squirrel is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable.

Ecological niche

Consuming and storing seeds and grass Spotted ground squirrels probably influence vegetative growth in their habitat range. These small rodents help to aerate the soil and also provide food for a variety of local predators.

References

1. Spotted Ground Squirrel on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_ground_squirrel
2. Spotted Ground Squirrel on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42563/22262899

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