Michigan in Pictures

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel by Zach Frieben

If you’re worried about your luck on Friday the 13th, allow me to offer this lil buddy which is for sure not a chipmunk! Animal Diversity Web says that the thirteen-lined ground squirrel:

…is found in central North America. Originally confined to the prairie, it has extended its range northward and eastward over the past two centuries as land has been cleared … Spermophilus tridecemlineatus is a small slender ground squirrel with alternate longitudinal stripes of dark brown and tan, extending from the nape to the base of the tail. The dark brown stripes are broader than the tan lines and have tan rectangular spots along the midline. The “thirteen lines” consist of either (1) seven broad dark brown stripes alternating with six thin tan bands or (2) seven narrow yellow stripes alternating with six broader dark brown stripes. The ears are short, and the tail is thin and sparingly bushy.

Thirteen-lined ground squirrels are diurnal and most active at midday and on warm sunny days. They dig shallow blind-end emergency burrows as well as complex deeper underground burrows used for nesting and hibernation. These squirrels are not colonial but may concentrate in one area with desirable substrate.

Thirteen-lined ground squirrels have excellent senses of vision, touch, and smell. They use alarm calls and other sounds, as well as using special scented secretions, to communicate with other squirrels. They rub glands around their mouth on objects to leave scent marks. They also greet one another by touching noses and lips.

Zach took this photo back in September of 2017. See more in his Mammals gallery on Flickr.