13 Lined Ground Squirrel

Scientific name: Spermophilus tridecemlineatus
Size: 30-40cm long including tail
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Natural range: throughout central North America

Housing

• large ferret or chinchilla type cage is best
• try to have more width than height
• females can be housed in pairs if introduced at a young age
• males are territorial and should be housed individually unless neutered
• Bedding: aspen or corn cob
• Accessories: nest box, ferret wheel, litter box, wood chews

Food

• feed a mixture of a high quality rodent seed mix, rodent blocks and kitten kibble
• allow free access to timothy hay
• fresh fruits and veggies once to twice weekly
• oats, barely, wheat, sweet potato or non-sugary cereal occassionally

Breeding

• Maturity: 9-10 months old
• Gestation: 28-30 days
• Litter size: 6-9
• pregnant females should be housed individually
• eyes open at 13 days old
• should be fully weaned by 5 weeks old