Sciuridae
Spermophilus tridecemlineatus
(thirteen-lined ground squirrel)

Image Caption:
A thirteen-lined ground squirrel surveys his surroundings.  Thirteen-lined ground squirrels prefer to live in grassy areas where grass had been mowed or grazed (Streubel & Fitzgerald, 1978, p. 2) such as roadsides, parks, pastures, or golf courses.  They may prefer short grass because they can find insects more easily (Streubel & Fitzgerald, 1978, p. 2), or because the shorter grass allows them to better watch for predators.

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Spermophilus tridecemlineatus (Thirteen-lined ground squirrel) Surveying Surroundings
Works Cited:

Streubel, D. P. & Fitzgerald, J. P.  (1978).  Spermophilus tridecemlineatus.  The American Society of Mammalogists Mammalian Species 103.
Image Location: United States, South Dakota, Oaklake State Park
Image Date: 2009JUN25
Image Species: Spermophilus tridecemlineatus tridecemlineatus

 Web Page and Picture By Peter Leitheiser
Updated: 2009JULY04