Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

The thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus, formerly Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) is a squirrel-family ground squirrel widespread across the grasslands and prairies of North America, named for the thirteen pale stripes alternating with rows of spots along its back. It is omnivorous, feeding mainly on grass and weed seeds, caterpillars, grasshoppers and crickets, and sometimes mice, shrews and cicadas. Diurnal and strongly solitary, it threatens intruders and flicks its tail to keep spacing. A true hibernator, it stays dormant from August to March for over six months without food or water, cycling between 7-10 day torpor bouts with body temperature at 5-7C and arousals of under 24 hours. Keeping it requires deep diggable bedding and a wide-floored tank or cage, plus the knowledge to manage hibernation rather than suppress it. IUCN Least Concern, not CITES-listed. It is not among the squirrels designated as Specified Alien Species in Japan (Pallas's squirrel, eastern grey squirrel and others), and imports fall under the rodent notification system of the Infectious Diseases Control Act.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel lives Up to about 8 years in captivity.

Captive lifespan reaches about 8 years.

The Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel grows to 17-30cm total length (tail 6-13cm) / 110-270g.

Total length 17-30 cm, tail 6-13 cm, weight 110-270 g.