DAY 1

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Mammalia

• Order: Rodentia

• Family: Sciuridae

• Genus: Ictidomys

• Species: Ictidomys tridecemlineatus

Evolution

• All Subspecies: 

  • 1: Ictidomys tridecemlineatus

  • 2: Ictidomys tridecemlineatus texensis

• Existence: 500,000 years

• Closest living species: Franklin's ground squirrel (Poliocitellus franklinii)

• 3 ancestors of the squirrel: 

  • 1. Miospermophilus

  • 2. Xerus

  • 3. Protosciurus

Description

• Small and flexible

• Key characteristics: 

  • 1. Thirteen alternating light and dark stripes running along the back and sides

  • 2. Stripes contain series of spots 

  • 3. Short, sleek fur with white underside

• Size: Length (170-297 mm) includes tail

• Weight: 110-140 grams

• Life span: 5-7 years in wild

• Difference between males/females: Males are generally larger