Head to head
Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel vs Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel
VS Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
The thirteen-lined and golden-mantled ground squirrels are both striped North American ground squirrels that hibernate, but one lives on open prairie and the other in the mountains.
| Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel | Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ictidomys tridecemlineatus | Callospermophilus lateralis |
| Markings | Thirteen alternating pale lines and spotted dark stripes | Copper-gold head and shoulders, with a white side stripe bordered by black |
| Face | Not highlighted | No stripes on the face |
| Habitat | Grassland and prairie | Mountain and forest |
| Hibernation | Body temperature drops to around or just below freezing | Hibernates in a burrow after fattening up in summer |
| Diet | Seeds, grasses, insects, and occasionally small animals | Seeds, fungi, fruit, and insects, stored in cheek pouches |
| Link to people | Studied in hibernation research | Bold, begging for food at campsites |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel vs Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel: common questions
How do the thirteen-lined and golden-mantled ground squirrels look different?
The thirteen-lined ground squirrel has thirteen alternating pale lines and spotted dark stripes down its back, while the golden-mantled ground squirrel has a copper-gold head and shoulders and an unstriped face.
Which ground squirrel is studied for hibernation?
The thirteen-lined ground squirrel, whose body temperature drops to around or just below freezing, making it a model animal for hibernation research.
Where do the thirteen-lined and golden-mantled ground squirrels live?
The thirteen-lined ground squirrel lives on the Great Plains and nearby prairie, while the golden-mantled ground squirrel lives in the Rocky Mountains and other western mountain ranges.