Spermophilus elegans

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	RODENTIA	SCIURIDAE

Scientific Name:

Spermophilus elegans

Species Authority:

Kennicott, 1863

Common Name/s:

English

–

Nevada Ground Squirrel, Wyoming Ground Squirrel

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Yensen, E. & NatureServe (Mabee, T. & Hammerson, G.)

Evaluator/s:

Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Chanson, J. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern because this species is still widespread in portions of two of three disjunct range segments, and can sometimes be very abundant, and its populations are unlikely to be declining fast enough for listing in a more threatened category.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species occurs in three disjunct population units, corresponding to subspecies S. e. aureus found in southwestern Montana and adjoining Idaho; S. e. elegans in northern Colorado, southern Wyoming, extreme western Nebraska, and extreme northeastern Utah; and S. e. nevadensis in north-central Nevada, southwestern Idaho, and possibly extreme southeastern Oregon. However, only one population of S. e. nevadensis still exists in Idaho, it appears to be extinct in Oregon, and it occurs in only a few places in Nevada.
Countries:	Native: United States
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	The species is fairly widespread in several interior western states and is sometimes very abundant. Densities of up to 48/ha have been reported in local areas.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It occurs in well-drained upland slopes covered by dry grassland or shrub steppe, especially sagebrush; mainly on slopes with loose sandy soils, suitable for digging burrows; mountain meadows, talus slopes (H. D. Smith, in Wilson and Ruff 1999). Young are born in an underground nest. Mating occurs soon after emergence from hibernation. Gestation probably lasts 22-23 days. Females produce one litter per year of 1-11 (usually 6-7) altricial young. In large colonies, home range may be as small as 25-50 yards in diametre. May host fleas that transmit bubonic plague. Predators include coyotes, badgers, hawks. Feeds on seeds, flowers, stems, leaves, roots of grasses, forbs and shrubs. Will also feed on insects, especially in the late summer. Sometimes eats carrion. Emerges from hibernation in the early spring. Active during spring and summer but becomes dormant again sometime between late July and early September.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It occurs in well-drained upland slopes covered by dry grassland or shrub steppe, especially sagebrush; mainly on slopes with loose sandy soils, suitable for digging burrows; mountain meadows, talus slopes (H. D. Smith, in Wilson and Ruff 1999).

Young are born in an underground nest. Mating occurs soon after emergence from hibernation. Gestation probably lasts 22-23 days. Females produce one litter per year of 1-11 (usually 6-7) altricial young. In large colonies, home range may be as small as 25-50 yards in diametre. May host fleas that transmit bubonic plague. Predators include coyotes, badgers, hawks.

Feeds on seeds, flowers, stems, leaves, roots of grasses, forbs and shrubs. Will also feed on insects, especially in the late summer. Sometimes eats carrion. Emerges from hibernation in the early spring. Active during spring and summer but becomes dormant again sometime between late July and early September.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	It is threatened by habitat degradation, especially agricultural conversion. Sylvatic plague may greatly reduce or exterminate a colony. Indiscriminate poisoning to control crop destruction is also a localised threat.

Major Threat(s):

It is threatened by habitat degradation, especially agricultural conversion. Sylvatic plague may greatly reduce or exterminate a colony. Indiscriminate poisoning to control crop destruction is also a localised threat.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	It is unknown whether any occurrences are appropriately protected and managed.

Conservation Actions:

It is unknown whether any occurrences are appropriately protected and managed.

Citation:	Yensen, E.Mabee, T. & Hammerson, G. 2008. Spermophilus elegans. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 03 December 2008.
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