About Ictidomys mexicanus (Erxleben, 1777)
The Mexican ground squirrel, scientifically named Ictidomys mexicanus (Erxleben, 1777), is a small to medium-sized rodent. It has nine rows of white spots on its back, small white circles of fur around its eyes, and small ears. Adults reach about fifteen inches in total length, and males are larger than females. This species is distributed across northern Mexico, the Texas Gulf Coast, western and central Texas, and southeastern New Mexico. It inhabits flat, brushy, or grassy areas, and typically prefers locations with gravelly or sandy soil, or areas that contain mesquite. Although much of its original habitat has been destroyed by human activity, it has adapted well to human settlements and can now be found on golf courses, along highway shoulders, and other similar grassy areas. Each Mexican ground squirrel usually maintains more than one burrow, and each burrow can have up to five escape tunnels. These tunnels do not have a mound of dirt marking their entrance. Most burrows contain a grass-lined sleeping chamber for young squirrels. The mating season of the Mexican ground squirrel runs from April to mid-July, peaking in May. Females are able to mate after their first hibernation season. While most Mexican ground squirrels hibernate, some individuals have been recorded not hibernating. This species is normally solitary, but individuals gather in groups during the mating season. During this period, changes in female hormone levels allow groups to form without aggression. When mating season begins, the female prepares a nesting chamber inside her burrow, lining it with mesquite and grass. The average litter size is five, though litters can range from one to ten individuals. Young are born toothless and hairless, and remain with their mother for three months before dispersing to live independently.
