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Photo by Unknown Photographer
Photo Courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Uinta Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus armatus
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5
State (S-rank): S5
External links
General information
The Uinta ground squirrel, Spermophilus armatus, is native to northern and central Utah, as well as to parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Within its Utah range, the species is quite common in suitable habitat, which consists of dry meadows, grasslands, and cultivated fields near water.
The Uinta ground squirrel eats seeds, green vegetation, insects, and occasionally meat. The species mates in early spring, and females give birth to a litter of four to six young about a month later (usually in April). The Uinta ground squirrel is active throughout the day during spring and summer, but hibernates in underground burrows during the fall and winter. Members of the species often live in large colonies.
Phenology
Usually active from spring through late summer (approximately April-August). Dormant during the fall and winter.
Species range
Intermountain west region of United States; southern Montana, southeastern Idaho, western Wyoming and north-central Utah.
Habitat
Dry meadows, pastures and cultivated fields in high valleys; also in montane grasslands and shrub-steppes almost to timberline (Eshelman and Sonnemann 2000). Digs underground burrows.
Food habits
Feeds primarily on a wide variety of green vegetation and seeds; some invertebrates (e.g. earthworms) (Eshelman and Sonnemann 2000), and some vertebrates; accumulates great reserves of body fat.
Ecology
Lives in large colonies.
Reproductive characteristics
Females produce 1 litter of 4-6 altricial young/year. Young are born usually in April (Burt and Grossenheider 1964).
References
- Biotics Database. 2005. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, NatureServe, and the network of Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centers.
- Burt, W. H. and R. P. Grossenheider. 1980. A field guide to the mammals. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 289 pp.
