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This species was formerly included in Spermophilus richardsonii.
Wyoming ground squirrels are very vocal. They continuously call to one another during above ground activity to sound alarm when predators are present. The most used alarm call is the "chirp", which is a series of short high pitched notes. The "churr" is another call, which is longer in duration and can carry over a longer distance than the chirp. They also flick their tail as a sign of aggression. Spermophilus species also use scent marks and touching, such as "kissing" to greet others. These ground squirrels use the same suite of senses to perceive their environment.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Spermophilus elegans is considered an unprotected nongame species. Wyoming ground squirrels have no special conservation status. They are fairly common in appropriate habitat throughout their range.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Wyoming ground squirrels (along with other ground squirrel species) have the potential to host fleas that transmit bubonic plague and Colorado tick fever virus. Spermophilus elegans are also agricultural pests. Their burrows can damage haying equipment and take fields out of production. Burrowing activity can also damage golf courses and lawns.
Negative Impacts: injures humans (carries human disease); crop pest
Wyoming ground squirrels are important members of the ecosystems in which they live.
Spermophilus elegans serves as a host for many parasites, including ticks, mites, lice, stomach and intestinal roundworms, and tapeworms. Their burrowing activities help to recycle nutrients and they are important prey species for small to medium-sized predators.
Commensal/Parasitic Species:
The diet of Wyoming ground squirrels is mainly herbivorous. They prefer green foliage, such as grasses and leaves, although these squirrels will also eat shrubs, forbs, flowers, seeds, stems, and roots. When there is not an abundance of green foliage, Wyoming ground squirrels will eat insects, including grasshoppers, crickets, and caterpillars, as well as eggs of ground-nesting birds. Sometimes they eat carrion.
Animal Foods: eggs; carrion ; insects
Plant Foods: leaves; roots and tubers; seeds, grains, and nuts
Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore )
Spermophilus elegans is made up of three, disjunct subspecies: S. e. nevadensis (found in southwestern Idaho, north-central Nevada, and formerly in extreme southeastern Oregon), S. e. aureus (found in northeastern Idaho and southwestern Montana), and S. e. elegans (found in extreme northeastern Utah, southern Wyoming, northern Colorado, and extreme western Nebraska).
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic
Spermophilus elegans occupies mountain meadows and talus slopes from 1,500 meters elevation to above the timberline. They are also found in sagebrush, and shrubby grasslands where they are limited to valley bottoms by other, sympatric Spermophilus species. They often are found in areas with loose sandy soil that is suitable for digging burrows. They live on upland slopes that are well drained.
Range elevation: 1524 (low) m.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; mountains
The lifespan of this species is variable. Less than one in four Wyoming ground squirrels survive their first year of life. Adults can live up to three or four years.
Range lifespan
Status: wild: 4 (high) years.
Body mass ranges from 255.15 to 396.9 grams, and length from 254 to 381 mm. The ears are larger than those of a typical ground squirrel. The eyes are outlined by a white ring. Spermophilus elegans lack the dorsal stripes and spots that are typical among ground squirrels. The dorsal fur is brown, with gray shades on the shoulders, neck and head. The sides and stomach are somewhat yellowish, especially in summer pelage. The tail is relatively short, from 59 to 79 mm, and colored like the back. These squirrels have large claws. There is only one annual molt in adults during the spring or summer. The molt varies with sex and reproductive condition.
Range mass: 255.15 to 396.9 g.
Range length: 254 to 381 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
These ground squirrels are prey for hawks, coyotes, badgers, weasels, snakes, and foxes. They avoid predation through vigilance, including vocalizations used to warn conspecifics, and by seeking refuge in their burrows.
Known Predators:
Mating systems of ground squirrels are polygynous, with males competing for access to females. Mating occurs soon (within 5 days) after the emergence of females from hibernation. Females typically emerge two weeks after males. After emergence from hibernation, males aggressively defend territories against other males. Once breeding is complete they cease defending this territory.
The specifics of mating behavior in Wyoming ground squirrels were extensively studied in a 1956 study (Denniston). Before mating, the male approaches the female and sniffs her nose. Then, he backs off and shoves dust toward her. He reapproaches the female, nibbles her neck and upper back. The female raises her tail and chirrups, as the male nuzzles her genital region. He then mounts her from behind, clasping with his forepaws.
Mating System: polygynous
Breeding normally occurs in the spring, after the squirrels emerge from hibernation. This time varies with latitude, snow conditions, and the severity of spring weather but is usually in late March or April. From 1 to 11 young are born after a gestation period of 22 to 23 days. Parturition, which lasts approximately 95 minutes, occurs in late April to early May; the young of S. elegans appear above ground by late May or early June. Breeding may be prevented by late emergence and a low body mass as a result of deep snow and extreme low temperatures.
The young are tiny when born (6 grams). They are naked, blind, and have closed ears. The pelage grows within two weeks and, at the age of one month, the young weigh 80 to 100 grams and have adult pelage. Young are weaned between 28 and 42 days old but do not venture beyond the burrow entrance until they are 42 to 49 days old.
Breeding interval: Wyoming ground squirrels breed once yearly.
Breeding season: Breeding occurs in early spring, a few days after females emerge from hibernation.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 11.
Average number of offspring: 6-7.
Average gestation period: 22-23 days.
Range weaning age: 28 to 42 days.
Range time to independence: 42 to 49 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 1 years.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 1 years.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
Little is known about the parental care of Wyoming ground squirrels because the young are cared for and nursed within the burrow during the first month. It is known, however, that females are likely to live with their young in the burrow for the beginning of the summer. Towards the end of summer, the young disperse into the community, the males dispersing away from their natal range and the females staying within or near their mother's range throughout their lives.
Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care
The Wyoming ground squirrel (Urocitellus elegans) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to the Northwestern United States.
The Wyoming ground squirrel (Urocitellus elegans) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to the Northwestern United States.
