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Richardson's ground squirrel
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{{Short description|Species of rodent}} {{Speciesbox | image = Richardson's-Szmurlo.jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Cassola, F. |date=2016 |title=''Urocitellus richardsonii'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T42561A22262546 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T42561A22262546.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Urocitellus | species = richardsonii | authority = ([[Sabine (taxonomist)|Sabine]], 1822) | synonyms = ''Spermophilus richardsonii'' | range_map = Urocitellus richardsonii map.svg }} '''Richardson's ground squirrel''' ('''''Urocitellus richardsonii'''''), also known as the '''dakrat''' or '''flickertail''', is a [[North America]]n [[ground squirrel]] in the genus ''[[Urocitellus]]''. Like a number of other ground squirrels, they are sometimes called '''prairie dogs''' or '''gophers''', though the latter name belongs more strictly to the [[pocket gopher]]s of family [[Geomyidae]], and the former to members of the genus ''[[Cynomys]]''. ==Taxonomy== [[Image:Spermophilus richardsonii (fossil ground squirrel).jpg|thumb|left|Fossil specimen from the [[Pleistocene]] of Nebraska.]] This squirrel was named after the [[Scotland|Scottish]] naturalist Sir [[John Richardson (naturalist)|John Richardson]]. [[North Dakota]] is nicknamed the [[Flickertail state]] after the squirrel.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/recreation/out-there-cannibalistic-gophers-risk-death-for-roadside-meal/article_20cfde0c-3fb4-11df-84bc-001cc4c03286.html|title=Out There: Cannibalistic gophers risk death for roadside meal|last=There|first=ANDREW McKEAN Out|website=The Billings Gazette|date=4 April 2010 |language=en|access-date=2020-02-28}}</ref> The nickname Dakrat is derived from "Dakota Rat" and is a commonly used name around Minot, North Dakota and on Minot Air Force Base.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.minot.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/265977/return-of-the-dakrats/|title=Return of the Dakrats|work=Minot Air Force Base|access-date=2020-02-28|language=en-US}}</ref> ==Habitat== Native to the short grass [[prairie]]s, Richardson's ground squirrel is found mainly in the northern states of the [[United States]], such as [[North Dakota]] and [[Montana]], and in western [[Canada]], including central and southern [[Alberta]], southern [[Saskatchewan]], and southern [[Manitoba]].<ref name=ADW>[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spermophilus_richardsonii.html Animal Diversity Web]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=AMAFB05040|title = Richardson's Ground Squirrel - Montana Field Guide}}</ref> The range of this animal expanded as forests were cleared to create farmland. They are not simply restricted to prairie; sometimes they adapt to suburban environments, causing them to be seen as pests because of the burrows they dig. It is not unusual to find squirrels digging tunnels under the sidewalks and patios of urban homes.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}} ==Description== Typical adults are about {{convert|30|cm|in}} long. Weights vary greatly with time of year and with location: at emergence from [[hibernation]] the squirrels weigh between {{convert|200|and(-)|275|g|lb|abbr=on}} for females and between {{convert|350|and(-)|450|g|lb|abbr=on}} for males. But by the time they hibernate again, their weight may have risen to nearly {{convert|750|g|lb}}.<ref name="research.uleth.ca">{{cite web |url=http://research.uleth.ca/rgs/pets.cfm |title = Richardson's Ground Squirrels as Pets | website = University of Lethbridge |access-date=2011-09-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009053003/http://research.uleth.ca/rgs/pets.cfm |archive-date=2011-10-09 }}</ref> Males are slightly larger and heavier than females on average. They are dark brown on the upper side and tan underneath. The tail is shorter and less bushy than in other ground squirrels, and the external ears are so short as to look more like holes in the animal's head. Behavior is more like that of a [[prairie dog]] than a typical ground squirrel. The tail is constantly trembling, so the animal is sometimes called the "flickertail".<ref name=":0" /> Males have an average life expectancy of 3 years, while females average 4 years. However, in captivity some individuals may live for 5 to 7 years.<ref name="research.uleth.ca"/> ==Behavior== [[Image:Richardson's-Ferocity-Szmurlo.jpg|thumb|Exhibiting territorial behavior]] Richardson's ground squirrels appear to live communally, but they organize their social structure around female kinship. A female Richardson's ground squirrel will tolerate the presence of closely related females, but are territorial towards other individuals.<ref name=social>{{cite web|title=Social Organization|url=http://people.uleth.ca/~michener/social_organization.htm|publisher=[[University of Lethbridge]]|access-date=August 8, 2010}}</ref> Individuals are territorial around their nest sites. The burrows of Richardson's ground squirrels are grouped closely together in colonies, and individuals give audible [[alarm call]]s when possible predators approach. Recent research has shown that in some cases, [[Ultrasound|ultrasonic]] alarm calls are given, and are responded to by other members of the colony. Richardson's ground squirrels use two audible alarm calls, a high-pitched whistle and a 'chirp' call. The whistle is given in response to terrestrial predators, while the chirp is given in response to aerial predators such as hawks.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1111/j.1439-0310.1984.tb01362.x | volume=66 | title=Alarm Calling in Richardson's Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii) | year=2010 | journal=Zeitschrift fΓΌr Tierpsychologie | pages=152β164 | last1 = Davis | first1 = Lloyd S.| issue=2 }}</ref> Predators include [[hawk]]s, [[owl]]s, [[snake]]s, [[weasel]]s, [[American badger|American badgers]] and [[coyote]]s.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Whitaker |first=John O. |title=National Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals |date=1996 |publisher=Knopf : Distributed by Random House |others=National Audubon Society |isbn=978-0-679-44631-6 |edition=Rev. ed., 2nd ed., fully rev |location=New York}}</ref> [[File:Richardson's ground squirrel.jpg|thumb|left|Eating a [[dandelion]]]] ===Feeding=== These animals are [[omnivore]]s, eating seeds, nuts, grains, grasses and insects (especially crickets, caterpillars and grasshoppers).<ref name=ADW/><ref name=":1" /> They stuff their cheek pouches with seeds, which are stored in the burrow and likely eaten in spring. They are also reported to cannibalize ground squirrels killed by road traffic.<ref name=":0" /> ===Hibernation=== Adult ground squirrels may hibernate as early as July, though in their first year, the young ground squirrels do not hibernate until September. The males emerge from hibernation in March, and establish [[territory (animal)|territories]] before the females emerge a couple of weeks later. Abandoned burrows are sometimes taken over by other grassland species such as the [[burrowing owl]]. ===Reproduction=== Female Richardson's ground squirrels produce one litter per year. Litter size averages 6, though the maximum size recorded is 14. The young are born in April or May.<ref name=litters>{{cite web|title=Litter Size|url=http://people.uleth.ca/~michener/litter_size.htm|publisher=[[University of Lethbridge]]|access-date=August 8, 2010}}</ref> Young ground squirrels remain underground in the [[burrow]] until they are approximately 30 days old, emerging from natal burrows late May to mid-June. At emergence, the young weigh 50 to 100 grams. ==Relationship with humans== [[Image:Flickertail1.JPG|thumb|In a suburban environment]] Because they will readily eat crop species, Richardson's ground squirrels are sometimes considered to be agricultural [[pest (animal)|pest]]s, although this is not their legal status in all jurisdictions.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.moosejaw.ca/cityhall/parks/horticulture/gropher.shtml|title = Richardson's Ground Squirrel|publisher = City of [[Moose Jaw]] β Parks and Recreation Department|access-date = March 24, 2010}}</ref> The [[government of Saskatchewan]] declared the animals [[pest (organism)|pest]]s in 2010, allowing local governments to employ gopher control measures.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 24, 2010 |title=Gophers declared 'pests' in Sask |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/gophers-declared-pests-in-sask-1.868647 |access-date=March 24, 2010 |publisher=[[CBC News]]}}</ref> In areas with few natural predators, overpopulation and increasing density can drive ground squirrels to expand into suburban neighborhoods. ===Control measures=== Farmers and ranchers have developed a variety of ways to exterminate ground squirrels besides trapping, shooting and poisoning. One such process fills the burrows with a mixture of oxygen and propane and then ignites the gas mixture. This kills the ground squirrels with a concussive force that also collapses the tunnel systems.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2432304520080324|title = Gophers notch a win in man-rodent battle|last = Haggett|first = Scott|publisher = [[Reuters]]|date = March 24, 2008|access-date = March 25, 2008}}</ref> Even if effective, ground squirrels from outside of the treated areas will eventually spread back into the area. The Saskatoon Wildlife Federation sponsored a 12-week "gopher derby" in 2002, in an effort to reduce what it considered an overpopulation of the squirrels. Cash prizes were awarded for the most number of animals killed, with the animals' tails being presented as proof of the kill. The Canadian Humane Society called the contest cruel and barbaric.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/humane-society-slams-gopher-killing-derby-1.334084|title = Humane society slams gopher-killing derby|publisher = [[CBC News]]|date = June 22, 2002|access-date = March 24, 2010}}</ref> Despite the criticism, the derby was repeated in 2003. By 2004, the ground squirrel population had dropped and the contest was cancelled. The [[Gopher Hole Museum]] in [[Torrington, Alberta]], Canada, has a large selection of stuffed ground squirrels of many varieties and colors. ===Pet trade=== The Richardson's ground squirrel in recent years has become popular in the exotic pet trade.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://research.uleth.ca/rgs/pets.cfm|title = Richardson's Ground Squirrels as Pets|publisher = [[Gail R. Michener]]|access-date = September 27, 2011|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111009053003/http://research.uleth.ca/rgs/pets.cfm|archive-date = October 9, 2011}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons|Spermophilus richardsonii}} *[http://www.xander.it/citelli%20video%20eng.htm Xander.it] - Spermophilus richardsonii (Richardson's ground squirrels) videos *[http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/pdf/i0076-3519-243-01-0001.pdf American Society of Mammalogists species account (pdf)] *[http://centralpets.com/pages/critterpages/mammals/rodents/ROD4274.shtml Information on keeping Richardson's ground squirrels as pets] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090908155642/http://research.uleth.ca/rgs/index.cfm Dr. Gail Michener's site on Richardson's ground squirrel] {{S. Xerinae2 nav}} {{Taxonbar|from1=Q1078572|from2=Q21730517}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Urocitellus]] [[Category:Rodents of Canada]] [[Category:Fauna of the Plains-Midwest (United States)]] [[Category:Rodents of the United States]] [[Category:Agricultural pests]] [[Category:Mammals described in 1858]] [[Category:Taxa named by Joseph Sabine]]
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