Cascade golden-mantled ground squirrel

Cascade Goldmantelziesel

The (or ) cascade Goldmantelziesel ( Spermophilus saturatus ) is a rodent of the family of squirrels ( Sciuridae ). He lives in the north- western North America.

Features

The cascade Goldmantelziesel is the largest representative within the subgenus Callospermophilus, belonging to the three species. From the Sierra Madre ground squirrel, it differs in addition to body size ( it reaches up to 243 mm, while the cascade Goldmantelziesel from 286 mm in size ) and. Reddish brown fur by areas on the head and shoulders The Golden-mantled ground squirrel is it more similar, but also smaller and with lower expression of these skin areas.

When average total body length of the cascade Goldmantelziesels 305 mm were detected, females are slightly smaller. The tail is on average 111 mm long. The weight varies between 200 and 350 grams, the individuals in the course of active year period steadily increase ( before hibernation ).

The cascade Goldmantelziesel has a stocky build. His hair is relatively long. On the head, on the sides of the head and shoulders, it is reddish-brown. The ears are yellow-brown, surrounded the eyes of a pale pink-brown yellow ring. About the dark gray-brown back two white strips each extending from the shoulder to the hip. The white stripes are bounded above and below by black stripes. Belly, tail and feet are yellow brown. The annual moult takes place in June or July and starts at the head and shoulders.

The cascade Goldmantelziesel has 22 teeth. The dental formula is I1 - C0 - P1 - M3.

Occurrence

The cascade Goldmantelziesel lives in the northwest of North America. He was found in the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. The habitat is south by the Columbia River, north ( presumably) by the Tulameen River and east by the Similkameen River.

Often the cascade Goldmantelziesel lives in pine forests ( often under ponderosa pines ) on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, on occasion, however, on the western slopes. In alpine habitats it is found in the krummholz or areas with high talar component. At 800 meters he lives in closed coniferous forests, but also on open meadows and deforested areas.

Reproduction

The two-week mating period of the cascade Goldmantelziesels take place in mid to late April. After 28 days one to five ( average of four ) young are born. They have a weight of around 6 grams at birth. 36 days they grow up in underground nests, then they have achieved an average weight of 85 grams. At least one week, they are suckled by the mother until they take solid food. Early April, leaving the young animals the nest. In general, they then do not live in their birth cave, but on average 231 meters away ( in forests 54.8 meters). Over half of the female is pregnant in the first year. Cascade Goldmantelziesel be about four years old.

Behavior

The cascade Goldmantelziesel is a tagaktives animal that digs caves. He lives in meadows and forests, also alternately when both habitats are achievable. Above ground, he spends most of his time sitting, followed by food, personal care and looking for food. Sometimes he climbs in three to five meters high on conifers and shrubs. Underground he lives low-lying caves where he finds protection from enemies, sleeps and cubs in at least 1 meter. At the grass nest lined with lead several tunnels whose outputs is similar beside rocks, stumps. located

The cascade Goldmantelziesel holds around 4.5 months of the year above ground. Mid-August to late September he goes into hibernation until it becomes active again in the spring.

Nutrition

The cascade Goldmantelziesel is a herbivore in the first place. It feeds mainly on hypogeous fungi, leaves of sweet peas, bark, grasses, seeds and leaves, and seeds of conifers. In some habitats include berries ( Shallon bill berries, blueberries, flour berries) to his diet. Occasionally, he also eats carrion.

Predators

Among the predators of the cascade Goldmantelziesels include Great Horned Owl, Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, owl, coyote, red fox, long swan Zwiesel, pine marten and bobcat.

Taxonomy

The cascade Goldmantelziesel was ranked by some authors as a subspecies of Golden-mantled Ziesels or used as a synonym for him. Genetic analysis is from the past.