Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel : Hailey Bohmaker

Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel           (Spermophilus brunneus brunneus) *Hailey Bohmaker BIO 227

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/179996-Urocitellus-brunneus/browse_photos

Description:

Spermophilus brunneus brunneus, otherwise known as the Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel is a member of the genus Spermophilus and is generally small in size. It is 1 of 2 subspecies of the Idaho ground squirrel, which is native to Idaho.The average male length is approximately 23.4 centimeters, and the average female length is 22.6 centimeters. Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel’s coats appear to be a dark reddish tint due to a blend of black and yellow hair along with dark red spots. This species has a short, narrow tail, tan feet and ears, and a grey-brown throat. There is a ring of white located around both eyes of the subspecies.

Ecology:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel's optimal environment consists mainly of meadows. The Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel typically emerges from their underground burrows between March and April and remains above the ground until early August. Males emerge first, followed by females and then the youth. They tend to dig their protective burrows underneath logs and rocks. Northern Idaho Ground Squirrels are reproductively active a short two weeks after their emergence. They become sexually mature following the first spring after they are born. They produce one litter every year that can range anywhere from two to seven babies, this depends on the fitness level of the female squirrel. The life span for Northern Idaho Ground Squirrels is around 3.2 years for females and about 1.7 years for males. During the reproductive season males travel great lengths to find a female partner, this leads to disputes with other males, and vulnerability to predators. Northern Idaho Ground Squirrels also participate in hibernation, this usually occurs around late July. This species diet is mainly herbivorous and consists of about fifty different types plants, mostly grasses and seeds, but also some insects. Since they hibernate, they strategically store fat during their growing season.

Geographic and Population Changes:

Range of the northern Idaho ground squirrel.
(Idaho Department of Fish and Game 1997) 

Northern Idaho ground squirrel
 probable historical 
distribution map 
 (U.S. Forest Service 2003). 

The Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel is found exclusively in west-central Idaho.The geographic distribution of the Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel has transformed into tiny, fragmented, and isolated populations in western Idaho. Between the years of 1980 and 1997, there were seven populations of Northern Idaho Ground Squirrels that were eradicated. Out of forty populations, only thirty-four are still in existence, the rest have been extirpated (more recent studies has shown that eight of these populations are no longer in existence). Sixteen of the remaining populations reside on National Forest lands, thirteen remain on private lands, and the rest are either on municipal properties, or on state land. One specific population site that was monitored by researchers, named Squirrel Valley, showed a population decline of 250 individuals in 1987, to only 10 in 1999. Due to habitat fragmentation and rapid population declines, Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel populations are small, and extremely isolated, leaving them defenseless against extinction processes. Another negative effect of smaller populations,is that this species will have less resilience to natural occurring events and catastrophic events. In 1985, the overall Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel population at eighteen population sites was estimated at 5,000 . A  2002 approximation, shows there were around 450 to 500 Northern Idaho Ground Squirrels at twenty-nine population sites. 

Cause of Listing & Main Threats to existence:
The Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel was listed as a threatened species on April 5, 2000. The main threats to existence and cause of listing are:

Columbian Ground Squirrel

1. Primary threat is meadow invasion by conifers, which causes habitat fragmentation: Increased fires and the  regrowth of conifers resulting from previous logging activities have reduced meadow habitats suitable for this species.
2. Overexploitation for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes: Recreational shooting and scientific research
3. Disease and predation: parasites, badgers, northern goshawk, prairie falcon 
4. Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms: safety from recreational shooting has not been very enforced 
5. Other natural or manmade factors affecting continued existence: competition from Columbian Ground Squirrels

Recovery Plan:

Objective: "to improve the status of the northern Idaho ground squirrel so the subspecies can be delisted" (U.S. Fish and Wildlife). 

Steps:

1. Restore and Maintain Habitats- vegetation management, thinning and burning, assess potential forestry techniques, monitor private lands, reseeding with native grass, live stock management
2. Conduct Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel Population Actions- translocation into existing populations, reintroduction into former habitats, captive breeding, research, law enforcement, predator and competition management
3. Monitor Habitat and Populations- monitor ecological succession, monitor annual population size, monitor sex ratios, determine reproductive rates
4. Coordinate the Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel Recovery Program- establish interagency program coordinator, establish technical working group, develop public outreach program, create central database, "Establishment of northern Idaho ground squirrel as a Payette National Forest Management Indicator Species for grassland communities" ( U.S. Fish and Wildlife)

What can you do?

• Create a donation website where funds go directly to the recovery plan for Northern Idaho Ground Squirrels!
• STAY INFORMED!! Stay updated on the current status of Northern Idaho ground Squirrels
• Share your knowledge: by informing others you help spread awareness!
• Build support within your community!

Other resources & Information:

Map of population distribution

Blog of Northern Idaho ground Squirrel

Recovery Plan

Fun Facts

Bibliography:

“Frequently Asked Questions.” U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

“Idaho Ground Squirrel.” Idaho Ground Squirrel - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio, animalia.bio/idaho-ground-squirrel.

 “Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel.” Inaturalist, www.inaturalist.org/taxa/179996-Urocitellus-brunneus/browse_photos+.

"Recovery Plan." U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

“Spermophilus Brunneus.” Animal Diversity, University of Michigan, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Spermophilus_brunneus/.