Ictidomys tridecemlineatus (thirteen-lined ground squirrel, striped gopher)
Specimen Images | FW6669 |
| Diet | herbivorous, omnivorous |
| Habitat | Short grass prairies, montane meadows, roadsides, pastures. Range in central North America. |
| Description | Small ground squirrel clearly marked on dorsal with rows of stripes and rows of spots on a brown background. Sides and legs pale orange, belly pale. Tail long with pale edges. |
| Skull Characteristics | Similar to other ground squirrels. Postorbital process fragile and set farther back than most other ground squirrels. |
| Notes | Until recently this species was placed in the genus Spermophilus with most other ground squirrels, and is still commonly called Spermophilus.
Link to more species information: Smithsonian Animal Diversity Web |