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Richardson's Ground Squirrel

Urocitellus richardsonii

Photo by nitrogen15
Published on Project Noah
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50.4547, -104.607

Field Notes

Description:

Ground squirrel patrolling its burrow on the campus grounds. They're capable of sophisticated communication through alarm calls, including ultrasonic calls (ones we can't hear).

Habitat:

Prairie grassland on the outskirts of a university campus

Reference Links:

Richardson's ground squirrel

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (10)
Gordon Dietzman
This looks like a Richardson's Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii). If so, the males, females, and young have staggered emergence from and into hibernation. It's thought that this process lessens competition between individuals. Very cool, although it would seem like a long time to stay underground and in torpor.
nitrogen15
Ground squirrels in this area don't emerge from their burrows until March or April and can start hibernating as early as July. I find this strange, because the weather's warm until October.
Ashish
Cute one..specially those nasty eyes..!!
SheaEckert
Aww! I just want to reach out and give him a hug, but i'm sure he'll bite me for intruding on his personal space!
tylerjferrara
I believe that is the infamous hugging ground squirrel. Not to be confused with its cousin, the shocked ground squirrel.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Project Squirrel
Photographed
PublishedMay 11, 2011

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