Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus)

OTHER NAMES: Striped Gopher, Leopard Grpund Squirrel, Squinny
Latin Etymology: Ictidomys ("weasel mouse") tridecemlineatus ("thirteen lined")

Adult Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) at North Dakota, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Ictidomys tridecemlineatus tridecemlineatus
Weight: 110-270g  /  Length: 17-29cm
NO UK STATUS/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A perculiar elongated looking ground squirrel species with a distinctive alternating stripe and spotted pelt. A diurnal species that will dig burrows up to 20ft long with mutliple side passages, the deepest parts of which are used for hibernation which they will perform for up to six months without needing food or water, although the precise mechanisms for how they achieve this are poorly understood.

Related Species:
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Ictidomys
SUBSPECIES: I. t. tridecemlineatus, I. t. pallidus, I. t. parvus, I. t. texensis, I. t. alleni, I. t. hollisteri, I. t. monticola, I. t. arenicola, I. t. blanca

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Found throughout most of the central Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in North Dakota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto