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Urocitellus elegans

(Kennicott, 1863)

Wyoming Ground Squirrel

G5Secure Found in 25 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.102073
Element CodeAMAFB05190
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilySciuridae
GenusUrocitellus
Synonyms
Spermophilus elegansKennicott, 1863
Other Common Names
Wyoming ground squirrel (EN)
Concept Reference
Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.
Taxonomic Comments
Recent molecular phylogenetic studies suggest that the traditionally recognized genera Marmota (marmots), Cynomys (prairie dogs), and Ammospermophilus (antelope ground squirrels) render Spermophilus paraphyletic, potentially suggesting that multiple generic-level lineages should be credited within Spermophilus (Helgen et al. 2009). As a result, ground squirrels formerly allocated to the genus Spermophilus (sensu Thorington and Hoffman, in Wilson and Reeder 2005) are now classified in 8 genera (Notocitellus, Otospermophilus, Callospermophilus, Ictidomys, Poliocitellus, Xerospermophilus, and Urocitellus). Spermophilus sensu stricto is restricted to Eurasia.

Formerly included in U. richardsonii, but several authors have documented the specific distinctness of U. elegans (see Hoffmann et al., in Wilson and Reeder 1993; Thorington and Hoffmann, in Wilson and Reeder 2005). Includes subspecies elegans, aureus, and nevadensis, all formerly included in U. richardsonii.
Conservation Status
Review Date1996-11-06
Change Date1996-11-06
Edition Date1996-02-07
Edition AuthorsMabee, T., and G. Hammerson
Range Extent20,000-2,500,000 square km (about 8000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Rank Reasons
Fairly widespread in several interior western U.S. states; sometimes very abundant; habitat generalist; potential threats include plague and poisoning.
Range Extent Comments
Interior western U.S. The subspecies occur in three areas that are probably geographically isolated: extreme southeastern Oregon (formerly), southwestern Idaho, and north-central Nevada (NEVADENSIS); northeastern Idaho and southwestern Montana (AUREUS); extreme northeastern Utah, southern Wyoming, northern Colorado, and extreme western Nebraska (ELEGANS) (Zegers 1984).
Threat Impact Comments
Sylvatic plague may greatly reduce or exterminate colony. Indiscriminate poisoning to control crop destruction.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Well-drained upland slopes covered by dry grassland or shrub steppe, especially sagebrush; mainly on slopes with loose sandy soils, suitable for digging burrows; mountain meadows, talus slopes (H. D. Smith, in Wilson and Ruff 1999). Young are born in an underground nest.

Ecology

Population densities may reach 10-20/acre (Jones et al. 1983). In large colonies, home range may be as small as 25-50 yards in diameter. One of the least social ground squirrels (Fagerstone 1988). May host fleas that transmit bubonic plauge. Predators include coyotes, badgers, hawks.

Reproduction

Mating occurs soon after emergence from hibernation. Gestation probably lasts 22-23 days. Females produce 1 litter/year of 1-11 (usually 6-7) altricial young. In northern Colorado, parturition occurred late April or early May, juveniles appeared above ground late May or early June (Fagerstone 1988). Young reach adult size by the end of the summer (Jones et al. 1983). In northern Colorado, successful breeding by yearling females may, in some years, be prevented by late emergence and low body mass attributable to deep snow and low temperatures (Fagerstone 1988).
Terrestrial Habitats
Shrubland/chaparralGrassland/herbaceousAlpineBare rock/talus/screeCropland/hedgerow
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
NebraskaSHYes
OregonSHYes
IdahoS3Yes
NevadaS5Yes
MontanaSUYes
ColoradoS5Yes
WyomingS3Yes
UtahS3Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
2 - Agriculture & aquaculture——High (continuing)
2.1 - Annual & perennial non-timber crops——High (continuing)
2.3 - Livestock farming & ranching——High (continuing)
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases——High (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases——High (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (25)
Colorado (4)
AreaForestAcres
Bristol HeadRio Grande NF46,087
Comanche Peak Adjacent AreaArapaho & Roosevelt NFs44,158
Dome PeakRoutt NF35,716
Red TableWhite River NF39,122
Idaho (2)
AreaForestAcres
Italian PeakCaribou-Targhee National Forest141,158
Lemhi RangeSalmon-Challis National Forest308,533
Montana (5)
AreaForestAcres
Call MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest8,796
East PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest145,082
Freezeout MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest97,305
Garfield MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest41,891
Italian PeakBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest90,401
Nevada (1)
AreaForestAcres
Ruby - Lamoille CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest32,771
Utah (2)
AreaForestAcres
0401001Ashley National Forest11,705
0401024Ashley National Forest12,882
Wyoming (11)
AreaForestAcres
0401018Ashley National Forest6,157
0401019Ashley National Forest6,202
East Fork EncampmentMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest7,445
Encampment River AdditionMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest4,996
French CreekMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest5,928
Libby FlatsMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest11,107
Middle ForkMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest13,238
Platte River AdditionMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest7,962
Sheep MountainMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest17,626
Snowy RangeMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest29,660
West Slope WindsBridger-Teton National Forest143,252
References (23)
  1. American Society of Mammalogists (ASM). 2024. The Mammal Diversity Database (MDD). Online. Available: www.mammaldiversity.org
  2. Banfield, A. W. F. 1974. The mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada. 438 pp.
  3. Drabek, C. M. 1973. Home range and daily activity of the round-tailed ground squirrel, <i>Spermophilus tereticaudus neglectus</i>. American Midland Naturalist 89:287-93.
  4. Evans, F. C., and R. Holdenried. 1943. A population study of the Beechey ground squirrel in central California. Journal of Mammalogy 24:231-260.
  5. Fagerstone, K. A. 1988. The annual cycle of Wyoming ground squirrels in Colorado. J. Mamm. 69:678-687.
  6. Hafner, D. J. 1992. Speciation and persistence of a contact zone in Mojave Desert ground squirrels, subgenus <i>Xerospermophilus</i>. Journal of Mammalogy 73:770-778.
  7. Harris, J. H., and P. Leitner. 2004. Home-range size and use of space by adult Mohave ground squirrels, <i>Spermophilus mohavensis</i>. Journal of Mammalogy 85:517-523.
  8. Helgen, K. M., F. R. Cole, L. E. Helgen, and D. E. Wilson. 2009. Generic revision in the holarctic ground squirrel genus <i>Spermophilus</i>. Journal of Mammalogy 90(2):270-305.
  9. Johnson, K. 1981. Social organization in a colony of rock squirrels (<i>Spermophilus variegatus</i>). Southwestern Naturalist 26:237-242.
  10. Jones, J. K., Jr., D. M. Armstrong, R. S. Hoffmann, and C. Jones. 1983. Mammals of the Northern Great Plains. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebraska.
  11. Jones, J. K., Jr., R. S. Hoffman, D. W. Rice, C. Jones, R. J. Baker, and M. D. Engstrom. 1992a. Revised checklist of North American mammals north of Mexico, 1991. Occasional Papers, The Museum, Texas Tech University, 146:1-23.
  12. Morton, M. L., C. S. Maxwell, and C. E. Wade. 1974. Body size, body composition, and behavior of juvenile Belding ground squirrels. Great Basin Naturalist 34:121-134.
  13. Murie, J. O. 1973. Population characteristics and phenology of a Franklin ground squirrel <i>(Spermophilus franklinii)</i> colony in central Alberta. American Midland Naturalist 90:334-40.
  14. Murie, J. O., and G. R. Michener, editors. 1984. The biology of ground-dwelling squirrels: annual cycles, behavioral ecology and sociality. Univ. Nebraska Press, Lincoln. xvi + 459 pp.
  15. Murie, J. O., and M. A. Harris. 1978. Territoriality and dominance in male Columbian ground squirrels (<i>Spermophilus columbianus</i>). Canadian Journal of Zoology 56:2402-12
  16. Olson, G. S., and B. Van Horne. 1998. Dispersal patterns of juvenile Townsend's ground squirrels in southwestern Idaho. Canadian Journal of Zoology 76:2084-2089.
  17. Owings, D. H., M. Borchert, and R. A. Virginia. 1977. The behaviour of California ground squirrels. Animal Behaviour 25:221-30.
  18. Recht, M. A. 1977. The biology of the Mohave ground squirrel (<i>Spermophilus mohavensis</i>): home range, daily activity, foraging and weight gain, and thermoregulatory behavior. Ph.D. dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles. 117 pp.
  19. Slade, N. A., and D. F. Balph. 1974. Population ecology of Uinta ground squirrels. Ecology 55:989-1003.
  20. Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.
  21. Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 2005. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Third edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. Two volumes. 2,142 pp. [As modified by ASM the Mammal Diversity Database (MDD) at https://www.mammaldiversity.org/index.html]
  22. Wilson, D. E., and S. Ruff. 1999. The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 750 pp.
  23. Zegers, D. A. 1984. SPERMOPHILUS ELEGANS. Mammalian Species, 214:1-7.