Geographic Range
Uinta ground squirrels are restricted to a small area in the west of the United States,
from southwestern Montana to southern Utah, including eastern Idaho and western Wyoming.
When the species was first described in 1863, the known rage was at the base of the
Uinta Mountains in southern Wyoming. The Green River canyon forms a barrier for dispersal
to the east into neighboring Colorado. The Snake River is a dispersal barrier to the
north and to the west.
A large number of the studies of Uinta ground squirrels from 1960 to 1980 focused
on the population northeast of Logan, Utah. In 2006, a population was studied in the
northeastern range of Wyoming. The existence of a precise shift in the range of this
species since it was first described to today is unknown.
Habitat
Uinta ground squirrels have a small geographic range that encompasses open areas.
They have been observed in open meadows and fields and on the edge of forests and
are usually found in areas of moist and abundant vegetation such as shrubs and grasses.
They are found at elevations ranging from 1,219 to 2,438 m. Uinta ground squirrels
typically burrow in loose or soft soils.
- Habitat Regions
- temperate
- terrestrial
- Terrestrial Biomes
- savanna or grassland
Physical Description
Uinta ground squirrels are medium-sized squirrels, with body length that ranges from
280 to 303 mm. They have a grayish-brown or buff pelage with a lighter underbelly
and black on the upper side of the tail. The sides of the head are light brown with
grey and can be a tone of light yellowish-brown. The eyes have a lighter contour than
the rest of the head. Melanistic individuals have been observed as well. The tail
is short (approximately 65 mm) and bushy. The dental formula is 1/1, 0/0, 2/1, 3/3
= 22. The cranium ranges from 45.6 to 48.5 mm in length. Males have slightly larger
cranial measurements than females.
Mean body mass upon emergence from hibernation is 300 g for adult males. Upon emergence
from hibernation, males typically weigh more than females. Recorded body weights range
from 201 g in yearling females upon emergence from hibernation to 635 g in adult males
upon entering hibernation. Uinta ground squirrels have a body weight approximately
15 to 16% lower in males and 4 to 5% lower in females upon emergence from hibernation.
Body mass is positively correlated with litter size and survival rates.
Uinta ground squirrels are endothermic. During warmer periods, when the ambient temperature
is approximately 30â°C, the basal metabolic rate ranges from 137 to 177 cubic centimeters
of oxygen/hour. During colder periods, when the ambient temperature is approximately
10â°C, the basal metabolic rate ranges from 500 to 570 cubic centimeters of oxygen/hour.
- Other Physical Features
- heterothermic
- Sexual Dimorphism
- male larger
Reproduction
Uinta ground squirrels mate once per year in the spring, from mid April to early May.
They emerge from hibernation prepared to reproduce. Male testes are at their maximum
weight and are scrotal at this time. Some female yearlings may mate but male yearlings
are usually not ready and may even emerge after the mating timeframe has passed. Females
come into estrus within 2 to 4 days of emerging from hibernation and are only in that
condition for a few hours in the latter part of the day. Uinta ground squirrels are
polygynous (one male mates with more than one female) and mate underground. Around
1 to 3 days after mating, females repel males and may become aggressive towards them
due to changes in their hormone levels from pregnancy.
- Mating System
- polygynous
Uinta ground squirrels breed once per year, in the spring, after emerging from hibernation.
Emergence from hibernation occurs from late March to mid April and consequently mating
occurs from mid April to early May. The gestation period ranges from 23 to 26 days.
Litter size ranges from 4 to 6 offspring, with an average size of 5.4. Young are altricial.
The timing of the mating can affect the litter size, offspring weight and survival
as these are correlated with the motherâs weight at the emergence from hibernation.
Similarly, juveniles that are weaned later in the season tend to have higher body
mass than those that are weaned earlier. Males reach sexual maturity at 2 years on
average and females reach sexual maturity at 1 or 2 years of age.
Juveniles emerge from the burrow after about 22 days and have their eyes open and
weigh on average 60.3 g. The young gradually leave the burrow and become independent
over the 2 to 3 weeks after emerging from the burrow for the first time. The mother
may become aggressive towards the young after maternal care has ended.
The average birth mass is unknown. Richardsonâs ground squirrels (
Spermophilus richardsonii
) have an average birth mass of 6.5 g. Richardson's ground squirrels have similar
hibernation patterns as Uinta ground squirrels and have similar adult body mass, although
the average adult mass is approximately 20% higher.
- Key Reproductive Features
- iteroparous
- seasonal breeding
- viviparous
Males do not participate in the care of the young. Females care for the young until
weaning, at which point they dig access holes around the burrow from which the young
may emerge. Females practically ignore their young after emerging. Approximately two
to three weeks after leaving the nest in which they are born, Uinta ground squirrels
become intolerant of each other.
- Parental Investment
- female parental care
-
pre-fertilization
- provisioning
-
protecting
- female
-
pre-hatching/birth
-
provisioning
- female
-
protecting
- female
-
provisioning
-
pre-weaning/fledging
-
provisioning
- female
-
protecting
- female
-
provisioning
Lifespan/Longevity
Uinta ground squirrels live on average 4 years but are known to live up to 7 years.
The main cause of mortality is predation.
Behavior
Uinta ground squirrels are social animals. Females and males typically mate in burrows
underground. Females burrow with their offspring until they are independent, at which
point offspring disperse to other burrows and engage in social encounters with other
individuals. Groups of related individuals (mother and offspring) that burrow together
are typically composed of 4 to 7 individuals.
Feeding is the most common behavior of Uinta ground squirrels during periods in which
they are active. Uinta ground squirrels are active for approximately 3.5 months of
the year, from mid-April through early September, and hibernate in burrows for the
remaining 8.5 months.
A study conducted from 1964 to 1971 measured the impact of behavior on population
density and regulation. The densities of certain populations of Uinta ground squirrels
were purposely reduced by approximately 50% for the experiment. It was found that
juveniles tend to disperse more at higher population densities and that yearlings
tend to breed more at low population densities.
Uinta ground squirrels only walk when taking a few steps around the burrow or when
feeding. For all other distances they tend to run. Their walking is quadrupedal and
foot posture is plantigrade with the opposite fore and hind limbs moving together
when taking a step. They have three different postures when walking or feeding: they
are âbody-on the groundâ, âhunchedâ and âbody-off the ground.â
The âbody-off-the groundâ movement is characterized by the head being held low and
the legs are flexed so that the body is close to the ground. The âbody-off-the-groundâ
movement is generally observed when Uinta ground squirrels are tense and strongly
correlated to when the animal will attempt to escape. This movement may also be observed
when animals are feeding. At this time, movements are slower and more relaxed.
In the âhunched postureâ, Uinta ground squirrels have their limbs partially stretched
and the spine hunched. This posture is associated with feeding, cold temperatures
and when the animal is outside of familiar areas, or in subordinate animals.
The âbody-off-the-groundâ posture is characterized by extended limbs and an extended
back. This occurs mainly when Uinta ground squirrels are feeding and can be associated
with dominance and animals that are not in an alarmed state.
When running, Uinta ground squirrels alternate between having both forelimbs and both
hind limbs on the ground. The posture typically changes according to the situation
that the animal is in. For example, the tail is typically off the ground or upright
when they are in familiar territory, such as its home range. When outside of this
area, Uinta ground squirrels hold the tail closer to the ground and hunch the lower
part of the spine.
Feeding behaviors of Uinta ground squirrels are correlated with the appearance of
the sun and with temperature. They are diurnal and have more intense feeding activity
during the first 1 to 3 hours after the sun rises and also during the 1 to 3 hours
before the sun sets. On colder or cloudier days,feeding patterns become more uniform
throughout the day or may start later and end earlier in the day. Uinta ground squirrels
hold food with their fore limbs and stands on their hind limbs to reach food.
Uinta ground squirrels do not present any particular distinguishable behavior or posture
when eliminating. They dust and groom themselves. When dusting, Uinta ground squirrels
lie in loose dirt and move in order to cover the body in the dust. They then shake
their bodies to remove the dust. Grooming consists of several complex movements that
include washing, scratching and biting the fur. The head, neck and portions of the
trunk can be scratched with the hind feet.
Both sexes engage in digging activity to either build new burrows or expand existing
ones. They use the fore limbs for digging and the hind limbs for pushing the dirt
back and out of the way. The muzzle may be used to help loosen dirt. Alertness is
also a key behavior as it decreases the probability that the animal will be preyed
upon. When Uinta ground squirrels are approached by an unknown object or animal, they
display a more tense and elongated posture.
Uinta ground squirrels are quite intolerant of each other even though they live in
groups. Aggressive behavior towards one another is observed when they come in close
contact.
- Key Behaviors
- terricolous
- fossorial
- diurnal
- sedentary
- hibernation
- social
Home Range
Uinta ground squirrels have a preference for large open areas in which it is easier
to see predators. During a high-density year, population density varies between 23
and 28 animals per hectare. During low-density years, yearling females may increase
their reproductive rates.
The territory size of
Urocitellus armatus
is unknown. Richardson's ground squirrels (
Spermophilus richardsonii
) have an average territory size of 240 m^2.
Communication and Perception
Although Uinta ground squirrels prefer to maintain a distance from each other, they
exhibit altruistic behavior that is reflected in their communication. Communication
consists mainly of alarm calls to warn other squirrels of the presence of predators
or other threats.
Uinta ground squirrels produce six different calls: chirp, churr, squeal, squawk,
teeth-clatter and growl. The chirp in males is slightly longer than in females (0.08
versus 0.06 seconds). This call is typically done in the vicinity of burrows and occurs
more frequently in males before the breeding season than after. This call is not correlated
to the approaching of females to males, rather it is to warn males not to approach.
As in males, females typically use this call to intimidate others not to approach
as they are not tolerant to other animals after becoming pregnant. Other Uinta ground
squirrels typically become more alert when they hear this call. The churr is typically
used by females when approached by other species. When others hear the churr call,
they typically face the caller and stop moving. This call serves to threaten other
animals and warn them to not come any closer.
The squeal call typically happens in response to an attack by another animal.
The squawk call is similar to the squeal in that is a response to an attack by another
animal, but unlike the squeal, is associated to physical contact.
The teeth-clatter typically happens at the end of an aggressive animal encounter but
can also occur during threat posture.
The growl occurs when Uinta ground squirrels are encountered by a different species
and especially when they are being removed from a trap.
The function of the calls is to alert other Uinta ground squirrels and warn both airborne
and ground predators not to move closer. Others respond to these calls with alertness
and by looking for the predator or danger visually. Alarm calls can carry over long
distances, with the churr carrying further than the chirp. Care-giving related calls
are not observed in this species.
No specific behaviors have been observed to indicate that Uinta ground squirrels mark
burrow entrances, however their anal glands and bodies make contact with the burrow
entrance which may leave their scent. Males may mark their territories by wiping their
cheeks on the ground.
- Other Communication Modes
- scent marks
Food Habits
Uinta ground squirrels are herbivores. The diet pattern changes throughout its active
season. Upon emergence from hibernation, they eat mainly leaves and plant material.
As the end of the active season approaches, in preparation for hibernation, they consume
more seeds. They may also supplement their diet with invertebrates, even eating carrion
occasionally.
- Plant Foods
- leaves
- seeds, grains, and nuts
Predation
Known predators are coyotes (
Canis latrans
), weasels (
Mustela
), badgers (
Taxidea taxus
) and raptors. Badgers (
Taxidea taxus
) may prey on Uinta ground squirrels during hibernation. Approximately half of over
winter mortality can be attributed to predation by badgers.
Uinta ground squirrels rely on warning calls as signals to be careful with approaching
predators. These squirrels have a specific language that details the type of threat
in the area and that is adapted to carry over different distances and indicate the
proximity of the threat. Predation rates are lower when the population density of
Uinta ground squirrels is high, most likely due to the fact that the probability of
detecting a predator increases as more squirrels are available to produce warning
calls. Uinta ground squirrels are more likely to produce warning calls when other
members of the population are closely related to them (of close kin).
- Anti-predator Adaptations
- aposematic
Ecosystem Roles
Uinta ground squirrels are prey to coyotes (
Canis latrans
), weasels (
Mustela
), badgers (
Taxidea taxus
) and raptors. They host the parasites
Heligmosomoides polygyrus
,
Neopsylla inopina
,
Opisocrotis tuberculatis
,
Oropsylla idahoensis
, and the fleas
Thrasis andorae
and
Thrasis francisi
.
Uinta ground squirrels are burrowing animals, which may help with soil aeration, that
is beneficial to vegetation. It is unknown if their burrows are used by other animals.
- Ecosystem Impact
- soil aeration
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Uinta ground squirrels are cited on the website of the National Park Service as an
animal for tourists to watch in Yellowstone National Park. Although it is unlikely
that tourists will travel exclusively to see Uinta ground squirrels, they are popular
among tourists at campgrounds.
- Positive Impacts
- ecotourism
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Uinta ground squirrels may damage crops within their geographic range and especially
in intermountain regions.
- Negative Impacts
- crop pest
Conservation Status
Uinta ground squirrel populations are not listed as threatened or of any special concern.
Population sizes vary according to dispersal and emigration; as population densities
increase, individuals tend to emigrate.
Other Comments
Urocitellus armatus
has also been known by the names
Citellus armatus
and
Spermophilus armatus
.
Additional Links
Contributors
Vanessa Santana (author), University of Alaska Fairbanks, Laura Prugh (editor), University of Washington, Tanya Dewey (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
- Nearctic
-
living in the Nearctic biogeographic province, the northern part of the New World. This includes Greenland, the Canadian Arctic islands, and all of the North American as far south as the highlands of central Mexico.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- temperate
-
that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).
- terrestrial
-
Living on the ground.
- tropical savanna and grassland
-
A terrestrial biome. Savannas are grasslands with scattered individual trees that do not form a closed canopy. Extensive savannas are found in parts of subtropical and tropical Africa and South America, and in Australia.
- savanna
-
A grassland with scattered trees or scattered clumps of trees, a type of community intermediate between grassland and forest. See also Tropical savanna and grassland biome.
- temperate grassland
-
A terrestrial biome found in temperate latitudes (>23.5° N or S latitude). Vegetation is made up mostly of grasses, the height and species diversity of which depend largely on the amount of moisture available. Fire and grazing are important in the long-term maintenance of grasslands.
- heterothermic
-
having a body temperature that fluctuates with that of the immediate environment; having no mechanism or a poorly developed mechanism for regulating internal body temperature.
- polygynous
-
having more than one female as a mate at one time
- iteroparous
-
offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).
- seasonal breeding
-
breeding is confined to a particular season
- viviparous
-
reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the developing embryo derives nourishment from the female.
- female parental care
-
parental care is carried out by females
- fossorial
-
Referring to a burrowing life-style or behavior, specialized for digging or burrowing.
- diurnal
-
- active during the day, 2. lasting for one day.
- sedentary
-
remains in the same area
- hibernation
-
the state that some animals enter during winter in which normal physiological processes are significantly reduced, thus lowering the animal's energy requirements. The act or condition of passing winter in a torpid or resting state, typically involving the abandonment of homoiothermy in mammals.
- social
-
associates with others of its species; forms social groups.
- tactile
-
uses touch to communicate
- acoustic
-
uses sound to communicate
- chemical
-
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
- scent marks
-
communicates by producing scents from special gland(s) and placing them on a surface whether others can smell or taste them
- visual
-
uses sight to communicate
- acoustic
-
uses sound to communicate
- aposematic
-
having coloration that serves a protective function for the animal, usually used to refer to animals with colors that warn predators of their toxicity. For example: animals with bright red or yellow coloration are often toxic or distasteful.
- soil aeration
-
digs and breaks up soil so air and water can get in
- ecotourism
-
humans benefit economically by promoting tourism that focuses on the appreciation of natural areas or animals. Ecotourism implies that there are existing programs that profit from the appreciation of natural areas or animals.
- herbivore
-
An animal that eats mainly plants or parts of plants.
- folivore
-
an animal that mainly eats leaves.
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