Wyoming Ground Squirrel

activity

Activity patterns. The Wyoming Ground Squirrel is diurnal and is active in mid-morning and early evening, perhaps to avoid midday summer heat in arid habitats. Individuals spend c. 21 hours / day in burrows during non-hibernating season, probably to reduce heat load. Heavy adult males emerge first in early April, a week before females. Adults enter hibernacula first beginning in late July; juveniles remain active aboveground into September.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Upland grasslands and sagebrush (Artemisia, Asteraceae) meadows, usually in montane regions. Wyoming Ground Squirrels can be found at lower elevations, particularly in rich well-drained soils and talus. They also occur in alpine meadows above timberline. They can feed heavily on agricultural crops and burrow into quality rangeland.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Wyoming Ground Squirrel lives in loose colonies and is relatively asocial, with individuals occupying their own burrow system in home ranges typically less than 0 - 5 ha. Social structure tends to consist primarily of adjacent related females and juveniles. Natal dispersal is male-biased and occurs immediately after weaning. Agonistic behavior is common during breeding and birthing. Vocalizations include two principal calls focused on alert and alarm: short and long high-pitched chirps.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. The Wyoming Ground Squirrel inhabits burrows with a vegetation-lined nest chamber in which young are born. Males usually emerge a week before females. Females enter estrus within five days of emergence, and estruslasts for less than twelve hours. Litters average 5 - 9 young, and young emerge from burrows 4 - 5 weeks after birth.

Sciuridae