Washington ground squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Washington ground squirrel |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Urocitellus
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| Species: |
washingtoni
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| Synonyms | |
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Spermophilus washingtoni A. H. Howell, 1938 |
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The Washington ground squirrel (Urocitellus washingtoni) is a small, furry animal found in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. These squirrels live in the states of Washington and Oregon. They are currently considered a "near threatened" species. This means they could become endangered if we don't protect their homes.
Contents
Where Do Washington Ground Squirrels Live?
The Washington ground squirrel makes its home in areas with sagebrush plants or open grassland. You can find them in the Columbia River Basin in Washington and Oregon. They love wide-open spaces where they can dig their burrows.
What Do They Do All Year?
These squirrels spend a big part of their year sleeping! They hibernate (sleep through winter) and estivate (sleep through hot, dry summer months). This long sleep lasts about 7 to 8 months each year. It helps them save energy when food is scarce or the weather is harsh.
Life Cycle and Family Life
When do these sleepy squirrels wake up? Adult squirrels usually come out of hibernation in January or February. Soon after waking, they breed and have babies. The young squirrels, called juveniles, emerge from their underground homes in March.
After leaving their birth burrow, young squirrels often move to new areas. This is called dispersal. They explore to find their own space to live. All Washington ground squirrels eat a lot in late spring and early summer. This helps them gain weight to get ready for their long sleep. Young squirrels start their estivation in June or July. Adults often begin their long rest even earlier, sometimes in June.
How Do Young Squirrels Find New Homes?
Scientists have studied how young Washington ground squirrels move around. They used special tracking devices to follow them. One study found that most young males (about 72%) moved away from their birth homes in April.
These young squirrels traveled different distances. Some moved only about 40 meters (about 130 feet). Others went much farther, up to 3,521 meters (over 2 miles)! The average distance they traveled was about 880 meters (half a mile).
Staying Safe While Moving
Moving to a new place can be risky for young squirrels. The study found that about 20% to 56% of the tracked young squirrels survived until estivation. The biggest dangers were birds of prey (like hawks and eagles) and badgers.
Interestingly, squirrels who moved away from their birth burrows had a better chance of surviving. This is because badgers often hunted squirrels right at their birth sites. By moving, the young squirrels avoided some of these dangers.
Why Are Washington Ground Squirrels Near Threatened?
The Washington ground squirrel needs our help. In Oregon, this species is listed as endangered. This means there are very few of them left in that state. Across the whole United States, it's being considered for the endangered species list.
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) keeps track of species around the world. They used to list the Washington ground squirrel as "vulnerable." Now, it's listed as "near threatened." This shows that while their situation is serious, there's still hope to protect them. Protecting their grassland and sagebrush homes is very important for their future.
See also
