Merriam's ground squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Merriam's ground squirrel |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Urocitellus
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| Species: |
canus
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| Synonyms | |
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Spermophilus canus Merriam, 1898 |
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The Merriam's ground squirrel (Urocitellus canus) is a small rodent that belongs to the squirrel family. You can find these squirrels in the states of Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon in the United States.
About Merriam's Ground Squirrel
Merriam's ground squirrel is a small, grey ground squirrel. It doesn't have any special markings like stripes or spots, so it looks quite plain.
Adult squirrels are about 18.8 to 21.8 centimeters (about 7 to 8.5 inches) long, not including their tail. Their tail adds another 3.1 to 5.0 centimeters (about 1 to 2 inches). Their weight changes throughout the year, depending on how much food they find. Female squirrels usually weigh between 144 and 210 grams (about 5 to 7.4 ounces). Males are a bit heavier, weighing from 146 to 300 grams (about 5.1 to 10.6 ounces).
Their fur is short and greyish-brown over most of their body. Their belly is a lighter color, from pale tan to white. Their tail is shorter and thinner than many other ground squirrels. They also have small ears. It's very hard to tell them apart from Townsend's ground squirrel and the Piute ground squirrel just by looking. Scientists often need to do genetic tests to know the difference. For a long time, people thought these squirrels were all the same species.
Where They Live
Merriam's ground squirrels live in many parts of Oregon, but not in the very north or west. Some groups of these squirrels also live just south of Oregon, in the very northeast corner of California and the northwest corner of Nevada. Other groups live along the west side of the Snake River in western Idaho.
Scientists usually recognize two main types, or subspecies, of Merriam's ground squirrel:
- Urocitellus canus canus: This type lives in Oregon, California, and Nevada.
- Urocitellus canus vigilis: This type lives near the Snake River, in eastern Oregon and western Idaho.
These squirrels like dry, open areas called chaparral. These places often have lots of sagebrush. They also live where there is greasewood and shadscale. Sometimes, you can find them in the edges of juniper forests. They can also be common in fields and pastures made by people.
How They Behave
Merriam's ground squirrel is active during the day, which means it is a diurnal animal. They eat many different things, so they are called omnivores. Their diet includes seeds, roots, and bulbs. They also eat insects, like cicadas. If they live near farms, they might eat crops like grains or alfalfa. When this happens, farmers might see them as pests. Barn owls and great horned owls hunt these squirrels. Other animals like hawks, snakes, and various meat-eating mammals probably hunt them too.
These squirrels dig burrows (underground homes). They usually stay close to their burrow entrances. Their home area is usually smaller than 1 hectare (about 2.5 acres). They spend most of the year hibernating, which means they go into a deep sleep to save energy. They usually come out in early March and go back to sleep in early August. The exact timing can change a little depending on where they live.
Life Cycle
Merriam's ground squirrels have one litter of babies each year. A litter can have up to ten young squirrels. The babies are usually born in late April or early May. We don't know exactly how long the mother is pregnant (gestation period) or how long the babies drink milk from their mother (weaning). But scientists think both of these periods are probably about three to four weeks long.
These squirrels are generally quiet and try to stay hidden. They have a loud, squeaky alarm call to warn others of danger. People have seen them climb low bushes to find food. They are also good swimmers!
See also
In Spanish: Urocitellus canus para niños
