Thirteen Lined Ground Squirrel
The thirteen-lined ground squirrel, also known as the striped gopher, leopard ground squirrel, squinney, and as the leopard-spermophile in Audubon’s day, is a ground squirrel. It is widely distributed over grasslands and prairies of North America.
I found a pair that had dug a tunnel system under a rock and it extended under an entire driveway with another exit on the opposite side of the driveway.
I watched and followed the pair over the course of an afternoon. They were extremely shy and didn’t want to come all the way out of their home. About an hour passed and finally. One of the critters came out for a full body view.
In the afternoon sun, their coats just glistened. The prominent stripes and patterns in their fur is amazing.
They are beautiful creatures, but I know that many people have issues due to their destructive nature of tunneling within their yards.
People Mistake Them For Gophers
Many times people think they are gophers when they inhabit lawns and gardens. I never like to rid the earth of critters. I like to try and live trap and relocate them.
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