Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) is in the Squirrels family (Sciuridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 5,247 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel: observations by month (U.S.)
About Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel
The thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus), also known as the striped gopher, leopard ground squirrel, squinney, and as the leopard-spermophile in Audubon’s day, is a ground squirrel. It is widely distributed over grasslands and prairies of North America.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 1,041 | July | Apr–Aug |
| Minnesota | 1,039 | May | Apr–Sep |
| Michigan | 585 | July | May–Aug |
| Illinois | 565 | June | Apr–Sep |
| South Dakota | 373 | July | May–Aug |
| North Dakota | 303 | June | May–Aug |
| Colorado | 262 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Nebraska | 257 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Ohio | 227 | August | Apr–Oct |
| Iowa | 176 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Texas | 119 | April | Apr–Jun |
| Kansas | 87 | April | Apr–Aug |
| Indiana | 73 | May | Mar–Sep |
| Wyoming | 59 | July | Jun–Aug |
| New Mexico | 28 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Oklahoma | 26 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Montana | 20 | June | May–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Squirrels)
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk
California Ground Squirrel
Groundhog
American Red Squirrel
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Western Gray Squirrel
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from April to September.
Where is Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel most often seen?
The most observations come from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan.