Uinta ground squirrel
Uinta ground squirrel | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Family: | Sciuridae |
Genus: | Urocitellus |
Species: | U. armatus
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Binomial name | |
Urocitellus armatus (Kennicott, 1863)
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Synonyms | |
Spermophilus armatus Kennicott, 1863 |
The Uinta ground squirrel (Urocitellus armatus), commonly called a "chisler"[2][3] and Potgut in northern Utah,[4] is a species of rodent native to the western United States.
Description
The Uinta ground squirrel is a moderately sized ground squirrel, measuring 28 to 30 cm (11 to 12 in) in total length. They weigh about 210 g (7.4 oz) when they emerge from hibernation, a figure that steadily increases until they are ready to hibernate again in the fall. Their fur is brown to cinnamon in color, being paler on the underside and grey on the sides of the head and neck. The 6 to 8 cm (2.4 to 3.1 in) tail is buff with a grey underside, as distinct from the ochraceous or reddish color found in closely related species such as Belding's or Wyoming ground squirrels. Females have ten teats.[5]
Distribution and habitat
First described from the
Behavior
Uinta ground squirrels are primarily herbivorous, and mostly eat grass, seeds, and the leaves of forbs, along with a small amount of earthworms and discarded human food. The exact composition of the diet changes throughout the year. They have been observed to have a preference for common dandelions, Taraxacum officinale, in their feeding habits.[6] Their most common predators are coyotes, badgers, weasels, and raptors.[7][8]
Although they often live in colonies, adults react aggressively towards one another outside of the breeding season, with females being more intolerant than males. Males mark their territories with scent glands in their cheeks, which they rub on the ground, but do not mark the entrances to their burrows. The squirrels greet one another by sniffing, escalating to threat postures and bristling the hair on their tails, and eventually to wrestling, boxing, and chasing if the intruder does not retreat.[5]
The squirrels make six distinct vocalisations: chirps, squeals, squawks, trills, growls, and teeth clattering. These are used primarily as a means of gaining attention, and all are used in aggressive interactions between individuals. However, chirps are also used to warn of aerial predators, and trills to warn of predators on the ground, with squirrels hearing them either adopting an alert posture or running for their burrows.[9]
Uinta ground squirrels are only active for a few months each year. Adult males wake from hibernation around mid March, but may wait a few weeks before emerging, depending upon the weather.[10] Females emerge slightly later, followed by female and then male yearlings. Adults return to their burrows to hibernate between late July and mid August, with juveniles following about two weeks later.[5]
During their active periods the squirrels are
Reproduction
Females enter
The young are weaned at about 22 days of age, and emerge from the burrow at around the same time. Although they are still small, weighing only around 60 g (2.1 oz), the mother almost completely abandons them after weaning, and they disperse to establish their own territories over the next two to three weeks.[5] They can live for up to seven years in the wild.[7]
References
- ^ . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Koshmrl, Mike (2018-04-25). "Chislers back on top after wintering underground". Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ^ Oliver Larsen Peterson Diaries, COLL MSS 101. Box 5, Folder 3. Utah State University, Special Collections and Archives, Logan Utah. [digital.lib.usu.edu/digital/collection/Bear/id/20285]
- ^ Noble, Katie. "Animal of the Week: What is a Potgut?", The Green Life, 13 April 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
- ^ S2CID 198968686.
- ^ Williams, Jeanne H.. “The Diet of the Uinta Ground Squirrel (Citellus armatus).” Jackson Hole Research Station Annual Report 1966 (1966): 19.
- ^ JSTOR 1940350.
- JSTOR 1382201.
- JSTOR 1377685.
- PMID 6131767.
External links
- LaValle, A. 2000. "Spermophilus armatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed December 25, 2007 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spermophilus_armatus.html.