Ground Squirrel

Ground Squirrel, common name for certain burrowing, terrestrial, western American rodents characterized by large cheek pouches opening inside their mouths. Ground squirrels are often erroneously called gophers. Like the true gophers, they are agricultural menaces, destroying grass and grain. Their alternate name, spermophile (Greek for “seed lover”), is derived from their usual diet. The ground squirrel resembles both the prairie dog and the chipmunk. Most ground squirrels are brownish or yellowish-gray, with light spots on the upper parts. Some species have longitudinal stripes along their backs. In the northern part of their range they hibernate during the winter; the duration of hibernation varies with the environment, and in some species hibernation may extend from September to May. Ground squirrels are found in open country, often in arid regions.

The Great Plains ground squirrel, found west of the Rocky Mountains, is typical of most of the spermophiles. The rough-haired ground squirrel is 28 cm (11 in) long and has an 8-cm (3-in) bushy tail. Its back is brown and its lower parts yellowish-gray; it has a white chin and a white ring around each eye. The head is stubby, with round, wide ears. The legs are short. These animals seek their food close to their burrows. They mate after they emerge from hibernation in the spring; the female bears 5 to 13 offspring at a time. The 13-striped spermophile, found near the Mississippi River, has 7 grayish-yellow stripes running down its back, interspersed with 6 stripes composed of spots. Its lower parts are fawn colored. This animal subsists on mice, insects, and grain.

Scientific classification: Ground squirrels belong to the family Sciuridae. The Great Plains ground squirrel is classified as Spermophilus elegans, the 13-striped ground squirrel as Spermophilus tridecemlineatus.