About Notocitellus adocetus (Merriam, 1903)
Notocitellus adocetus, commonly called the tropical ground squirrel, is smaller than its close relative the ring-tailed ground squirrel (Notocitellus annulatus). It has more rounded ears, a shorter broader snout, paler overall colouring, and an unringed tail. Cinnamon brown fur is interspersed with many black hairs, and the head, upper back, and bushy tail are darker than the rest of the animal’s coat. The underparts and inner surfaces of the limbs are yellowish, and faint pale streaks are present both above and below the eye. Females measure 168 mm (6.6 in) from head to body, with a 132 mm (5.2 in) tail; males are slightly larger. This ground squirrel is endemic to Mexico, where it occurs in the states of State of Mexico, Guerrero, Jalisco, and Michoacán. Most of its range lies within the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt, at altitudes up to about 3,000 m (10,000 ft). Its typical habitat is arid rocky areas including canyons and cliffs with sparse vegetation, mesquite, barrel cacti, and deciduous woodland. Parts of its native habitat have been converted to low-intensity agricultural use, and this species has adapted to the land use change by feeding on crops. The tropical ground squirrel is a social, diurnal species that is active for most of the year. It digs complex burrows up to 60 cm (24 in) deep, positioning them under walls or rocks, or at the base of trees. It is omnivorous, but its diet consists mainly of seeds and fruits, particularly those of Acacia, Prosopis, Prunus, and Crescentia. It also consumes green shoots, and on agricultural land it feeds on maize, sorghum, and beans. Most foraging occurs in the morning between 9:00 and 11:00; the squirrel stuffs gathered food into its cheek pouches and carries it back to the burrow to eat later. When food is scarce during the hottest part of the year, this species may enter a short period of aestivation. Populations living on farmland may breed year-round, but populations in deciduous woodland likely breed between May and June, before the wet season begins. Population size fluctuates substantially from year to year. In remote areas, the tropical ground squirrel is shy, but populations living near humans become habituated and bolder. Individuals will scamper away when humans approach, watch human activity while perched on walls, or take shelter in crevices and peer out. While it feeds mainly on seeds and fruits in the wild, captive individuals can eat corn, meat, lettuce, tortillas, and bread. When feeding, it sits on its haunches and uses its front feet to push food into its mouth.
