Southern Idaho ground Squirrel (Urocitellus endemicus)
Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Listing Status:
General Information
The southern Idaho ground squirrel (Urocitellus endemicus) is about 8 to 9 inches long, with a short narrow tail, tan feet and ears, and a grey-brown throat. Research suggests that this ground squirrel prefers native cover such as big sagebrush, bitterbrush and a variety of native forbs and grasses, however, some nonnative features may enhance their survival such as alfalfa fields, haystacks and fence lines. Adult ground squirrels emerge from seasonal hibernation in late January or early February (depending on elevation and habitat conditions), and remain above ground for about 4 to 5 months. During this time, they feed on grass seed, stems and green leafy vegetation that are required for fat storage to survive the long months of hibernation. When ground squirrels emerge from their burrows in the spring, they begin breeding and young are born about 3 weeks later. In about 50 days, the juveniles leave nest burrows. Above-ground activity ceases by late June or early July when the ground squirrels return to their burrows for hibernation. Recent surveys indicate that the southern Idaho ground squirrel occurs in about 38 square miles in Idaho: extending from Emmett northwest to Weiser and the surrounding area of Squaw Butte, Midvale Hill, and over to the Henley Basin in Gem, Payette and Washington Counties. Its range is bounded on the south by the Payette River, on the west by the Snake River and on the northeast by lava flows with little soil. Currently, the distribution of the species is patchy, with areas of localized abundance and large areas of apparently suitable habitat that are unoccupied, or are sparsely occupied. The areas of localized abundance are typically concentrated around human-altered landscapes such as golf courses and row crop or farmed fields (particularly alfalfa and clover). Threats to the southern Idaho ground squirrel include exotic grasses and weeds, habitat fragmentation, direct killing from shooting, trapping or poisoning, predation, competition with Columbian ground squirrels and inadequacy of regulatory mechanisms to protect the species or its habitat.
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This map represents our best available information about where a species is currently known to or or is believed to occur; however, it should NOT be used as an official species list for Section 7 Consultation purposes. To obtain an official species list for this purpose, please visit the Information, Planning, and Conservation (IPaC) System (click here: http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac)
- States/US Territories in which the Southern Idaho ground Squirrel is known to or is believed to occur: Idaho
- US Counties in which the Southern Idaho ground Squirrel is known to or is believed to occur: View All
| Status | Date Listed | Lead Region | Where Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Region (Region 1) |
» Candidate Information
Current Candidate Status
» Conservation Plans
| CCAA Plan Summaries |
|---|
| Soulen Ranch Southern Idaho Ground Squirrel CCAA |
| Southern Idaho Ground Squirrel Programmatic |
» Petitions
| Date | Citation Page | Title | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/21/2012 | 77 FR 69993 70060 | Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions | |
| 10/26/2011 | 76 FR 66370 66439 | Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions |
» Life History
No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.
» Other Resources
NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.
ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.
