Sierra Madre ground squirrel

Sierra Madre ground squirrel

The (or ) Sierra Madre ground squirrel ( Spermophilus madrensis ) is a rodent of the family of squirrels ( Sciuridae ). He lives in northwestern Mexico.

Features

The Sierra Madre ground squirrel is the smallest representative within the subgenus Callospermophilus, belonging to the three species. He strongly resembles the Golden-mantled ground squirrel, but is smaller, its tail is shorter, narrower skull and the skin color dull. The black stripes are defined shorter and weaker, the rich white strips to the tail.

The average total length of the Sierra Madre Ziesels is 233 mm. The tail is on average 61 mm long. The skull is huge in size with up to 42.8 mm. The average weight is 156 grams.

Late August to early September, when the Sierra Madre ground squirrel wearing their summer coat worn are hazel, her head and face often. The eyes are surrounded by yellowish-brown - white rings. The deeper jaws, the sides of the muzzle and front legs have a warm Gelbbraunton. The shoulders and sides of the neck are of a faded cinnamon brown and ocher yellow-brown. There are a few cinnamon-colored hairs on the outer sides of the ears. The ground color of the upper body is a dark cinnamon or beige, the darkest are rump and thighs. On the back of the Sierra Madre ground squirrel has two matte white or pale reddish streaks that are often limited by only weak black stripes. On the sides it is yellowish brown and white or cinnamon. The Schwanzbehaarung has a Farbtonmix of black and warm yellow-brown.

Distribution and habitat

The Sierra Madre ground squirrel was observed in the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Durango. In addition, a deposit in Sinaloa and Sonora is considered. He lives at altitudes 3000-3750 meters.

A habitat of the Sierra Madre Ziesels are pine forests above the Pinyon Pine Belt. On slopes at higher altitudes ( around 3750 meters ) it can be found under Douglas firs, pines, junipers and poplars. Widespread it is in the mountain range Sierra Madre Occidental, of which the epithet of the species is derived.

The species is despite extensive stocks as "low risk" ( Near Threatened ) in the Red List of endangered species listed because all high-altitude pine forests that belong to their habitat, are being cut down extensively.

Reproduction

Little is known about the propagation of the Sierra Madre Ziesels. For research trips in May and June were females with two to five embryos and in July found lactating females.

Taxonomy

A synonym is Callospermophilus madrensis. Under this name, the type was first described in 1901. In 1959 she was first referred to as Spermophilus madrensis ( Hall and Kelson ).