Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
Habitat
This species inhabits grasslands, prairies, and open fields with short vegetation across central North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico. It prefers dry, sandy or loamy soils for burrowing and is commonly found in agricultural areas and roadside verges.
Diet
Thirteen-lined ground squirrels primarily eat seeds, grass, and insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, with occasional fruits and roots. They forage actively during the day, often storing food in their burrows for later use.
Behavior
These squirrels are diurnal and live in loose colonies with individual burrows, often communicating with high-pitched whistles to alert others of danger. They are territorial around their burrows but may share foraging areas, and they hibernate from late fall through early spring. Notable behaviors include standing on hind legs to survey surroundings and rapid darting to escape threats.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the thirteen-lined ground squirrel as Least Concern, with a stable population trend; major threats include habitat loss from agriculture and urbanization.