Rio Grande Ground Squirrel

The Rio Grande ground squirrel (Ictidomys parvidens) is a species of squirrel in the family Sciuridae. It is found in the southwestern United States (Texas and New Mexico) and in northeastern Mexico. == Description == The Rio Grande ground squirrel is predominantly brown with nine broken rows of squarish white spots on its back. Its spotting is less distinct than the spotting on the thirteen-lined ground squirrel. It varies in body length from 29.9 centimetres (11.8 in) to 35.2 centimetres (13.9 in) == Distribution and Habitat == The Rio Grande ground squirrel is found in grasslands and scrub habitat from southwestern New Mexico to northern Zacatecas and east to the gulf coast. In western Texas, it is often associated with mesquite and cholla. While much of its original habitat has been destroyed by humans, it has adapted well to human civilization and can now be found on golf courses and other grassy areas such as the sides of highways. Each squirrel normally has more than one burrow and each of them have as many as five escape tunnels. The tunnels are not marked by a mound of dirt on top. Most burrows have a sleeping chamber for the offspring which…