Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: SQUIRREL, FRANKLIN'S GROUND

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: MAMMALIA

Order: RODENTIA

Family: SCIURIDAE

Genus: POLIOCITELLUS

Species: FRANKLINII

Taxonomic Authority: (SABINE)

Taxonomy References: 002 , 014

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S2S3
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 001 , 005

Habitat Summary

"Occur in prairie, pasture and grassland-woodland edge with tall, dense vegetation, preferrably greater than 30\" tall, and railroad right-of-ways *012*."

Primary Habitat: "Grassland(matrix)"

References: 001 , 004 , 006 , 009

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occurs in northern two thirds of Missouri *01* and in several counties along the western edge of the state south of the Missouri River *012*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
ADAIR BATES BARTON BARRY
ANDREW BENTON CRAWFORD BOLLINGER
ATCHISON CALLAWAY DADE BUTLER
AUDRAIN CAMDEN DALLAS CAPE GIRARDEAU
BOONE CARROLL JEFFERSON CARTER
BUCHANAN CASS LACLEDE CHRISTIAN
CALDWELL CEDAR PHELPS DENT
CHARITON COLE POLK DOUGLAS
CLARK COOPER PULASKI DUNKLIN
CLAY DAVIESS WASHINGTON GREENE
CLINTON DEKALB HENRY
HOLT FRANKLIN HOWELL
HOWARD GASCONADE IRON
JACKSON GENTRY JASPER
KNOX GRUNDY LAWRENCE
LAFAYETTE HARRISON MADISON
LEWIS HICKORY MCDONALD
LINN JOHNSON MISSISSIPPI
LIVINGSTON LINCOLN NEWTON
MACON MARIES OREGON
MERCER MARION OZARK
NEW MADRID MILLER PEMISCOT
NODAWAY MONITEAU PERRY
PLATTE MONROE REYNOLDS
RANDOLPH MONTGOMERY RIPLEY
RAY MORGAN SCHUYLER
SALINE OSAGE SCOTT
SCOTLAND PETTIS SHANNON
PIKE ST. FRANCOIS
PUTNAM STE. GENEVIEVE
RALLS STODDARD
SHELBY STONE
ST. CHARLES TANEY
ST. CLAIR TEXAS
ST. LOUIS WAYNE
SULLIVAN WEBSTER
VERNON WRIGHT
WARREN
WORTH

References for distribution: 001 , 002 , 003 , 010 , 012 , 015

Distribution by Watersheds

Wyaconda R.
North Fabius R. and Middle Fabius R.
South Fabius R.
Miss. R. from Des Moines R. to MO. R.; and North R.
North Fork from Headwaters to South Fork
South Fork from Headwaters to North Fork
Mo. R. from Iowa Border to Nishnabotna R.
Nishnabotna R.
Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Nodaway R.
Mo.R. from Nodaway to Kansas City
Platte R.
One Hundred and Two R.
Grand R. from Headwaters to Shoal Creek
Thompson R.
Grand R. from Shoal Creek to MO. R.
Chariton R. from Headwaters to Shuteye Creek
Chariton R. from Shuteye Creek to Mo. R.
Little Chariton R.
Pomme De Terre R.
South Grand R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Blackwater R.

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Grand River
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers: Upper Missouri
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Ozark Border: Missouri River

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

References for Aquatic Associations:

Habitat Types:

Perennial Grass (Warm season)
Perennial Grass (cool-season)
Savanna (Grass-Shrub)
Edge (Forest-Field)

References for Habitat Types: 007 , 012

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Savanna
Dry Savanna
Dry-Mesic Savanna
Limestone/Dolomite Savanna
Chert Savanna
Sandstone Savanna
Prairie
Dry Prairie
Dry-Mesic Prairie
Mesic Prairie
Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Chert Prairie
Dry-Mesic Chert Prairie

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 001 , 004 , 006 , 007 , 009

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Omnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Plants; Roots
Plants; Tubers
Compositae (asters); Buds
Compositae (asters); Leaves/Needles
Compositae (asters); Flower
Shrubs; Fruit/Seeds
Forbs; All of plant
Gramineae (grass); All of plant
Birds; Egg stage
Anseriformes (swans, geese, and ducks); Egg stage
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Egg stage
Insects Insects; Larva stage
Insects Insects; Pupa stage
Leporidae (rabbits); Juvenile stage
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Juvenile stage
Birds; Juvenile stage
Anseriformes (swans, geese, and ducks); Juvenile stage
Galliformes; Juvenile stage
Coleoptera (beetles); Not Specified
Hymenoptera (sawflies, ants, wasps, bees); Not Specified
Osteichthyes (bony fishes); Not Specified
Amphibians; Not Specified
Salientia (frogs, toads, peepers, tree frogs); Not Specified
Mammals; Not Specified
Carrion; Not Specified
Terrestrial Insects; Not Specified
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Adult Stage
Birds; Adult Stage
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Adult Stage

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 001 , 006

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Height of herbaceous vegetation specified in comments(00630)
Fencerows
Human association specified in comments(00690)

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 004 , 006 , 009

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Height of herbaceous vegetation specified in comments(00630)
Fencerows
Human association specified in comments(00690)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 004 , 006 , 009

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: climax grassland
Height of herbaceous vegetation specified in comments(00630)
Fencerows
Human association: wooded farmsteads
Human association specified in comments(00690)

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 004 , 006 , 009

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: climax grassland
Height of herbaceous vegetation specified in comments(00630)
Fencerows
Human association specified in comments(00690)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 004 , 006 , 009

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: climax grassland
Height of herbaceous vegetation specified in comments(00630)
Fencerows
Human association specified in comments(00690)

References for resting adult niche requirements: 001 , 004 , 006 , 009

Niche Requirement Summary

Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Fencerows
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Height of herbaceous vegetation specified in comments(00630)
Human association specified in comments(00690)
Human association: wooded farmsteads
Successional stage: climax grassland
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
017 Gestation 28 days *01*.
022 Mature at 1 year *01*.
007 Breed in spring after emerging from hibernation *01,09*. In Manitoba, breed late April-early June *06*.
099 Young 1st leave nest when about 30 days old *01*. Males emerge from hibernation about 1 week earlier than females *01*. In ND study, males emerged early-mid April, females about 15 days after males. In fall, males entered hibernation before females. *09*. Adults go into hibernation before young *01*. Several individuas may hibernate together *01,04*. Each individual has a set of burrows throughout home range. In ND, average number of burrows used during a season was 11.5 (7-21) for males and 9.3 (4-15) for females *09*. There may be small colonies of 10-12 individuals with burrows close together *01,04*. Populations have periods of peak abundance every 4-6 years *01*. Cyclic fluctuation sof 4-6 and 10 yrs have been observed and may explain scarcity of species *013*.
005 Seen foraging in railroad right-of-ways *012*.
011 Uses abandoned pocket gopher burrows. Burrows are 8" in diameter *012*.
037 Colonies relocate annually *001*
018 Litter size 4-11, usually 7 *01*. In Manitoba, 5-11, average 7.5 *06*.
030 Hibernate October-April *01*. In ND, become active 1-2 hours after sunrise. Retire to 1-2 hours before sunset *09*. Activity decreased by rainy *01,09*, cold, windy, or cloudy weather *01*. Present above ground only during calm, bright days *012*. Spend 90% of time in burrows *01*.
028 Home range about 100 yds in diam. *01*. In ND study, home range shifted 5.4-52.9 ha. Annual home range of females 2.5-22.7 ha, average 8.7 ha. Biweekly home ranges - males .5-38.4 ha, average 7.2 ha ha, average 2.7 ha. Females' home ranges remained constant in size throughout gestation post- lactation period. Males' home range showed 2 peaks in size : during emergence from hibernation and breeding, and from mid-June to mid-July. *09*. In ND study, mean distance travelled daily was 213 m for males and 153 m for females. Female movement during gestation and lactation decreased. Annual home range for males average 24.6 ha, for females average 8.7 ha. Movements were influenced by location of burrow systems and food resources *11*.
035 Predators include hawks, owls, mink, foxes, coyote, badger *06,01*. Parasites include fleas, roundworms, tapeworms *01* such as citellIIena *06*.

Life History Information

Home range size specified in comments(028)
Periodicity: active in day
Periodicity specified in comments(030)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Dispersal specified in comments(037)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy: gleaning
Foraging strategy: grazing
Foraging strategy: browsing
Foraging strategy: scavenging
Foraging strategy: stalking
Foraging sites: ground
Foraging sites specified in comments(005)
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Nest/den site: underground burrow
Nest/den site specified in comments(011)
Nest materials: grasses
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litter per year: one
Development of young at birth/hatching: altricial
Parental care of young: female
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
017 Gestation 28 days *01*.
022 Mature at 1 year *01*.
007 Breed in spring after emerging from hibernation *01,09*. In Manitoba, breed late April-early June *06*.
099 Young 1st leave nest when about 30 days old *01*. Males emerge from hibernation about 1 week earlier than females *01*. In ND study, males emerged early-mid April, females about 15 days after males. In fall, males entered hibernation before females. *09*. Adults go into hibernation before young *01*. Several individuas may hibernate together *01,04*. Each individual has a set of burrows throughout home range. In ND, average number of burrows used during a season was 11.5 (7-21) for males and 9.3 (4-15) for females *09*. There may be small colonies of 10-12 individuals with burrows close together *01,04*. Populations have periods of peak abundance every 4-6 years *01*. Cyclic fluctuation sof 4-6 and 10 yrs have been observed and may explain scarcity of species *013*.
005 Seen foraging in railroad right-of-ways *012*.
011 Uses abandoned pocket gopher burrows. Burrows are 8" in diameter *012*.
037 Colonies relocate annually *001*
018 Litter size 4-11, usually 7 *01*. In Manitoba, 5-11, average 7.5 *06*.
030 Hibernate October-April *01*. In ND, become active 1-2 hours after sunrise. Retire to 1-2 hours before sunset *09*. Activity decreased by rainy *01,09*, cold, windy, or cloudy weather *01*. Present above ground only during calm, bright days *012*. Spend 90% of time in burrows *01*.
028 Home range about 100 yds in diam. *01*. In ND study, home range shifted 5.4-52.9 ha. Annual home range of females 2.5-22.7 ha, average 8.7 ha. Biweekly home ranges - males .5-38.4 ha, average 7.2 ha ha, average 2.7 ha. Females' home ranges remained constant in size throughout gestation post- lactation period. Males' home range showed 2 peaks in size : during emergence from hibernation and breeding, and from mid-June to mid-July. *09*. In ND study, mean distance travelled daily was 213 m for males and 153 m for females. Female movement during gestation and lactation decreased. Annual home range for males average 24.6 ha, for females average 8.7 ha. Movements were influenced by location of burrow systems and food resources *11*.
035 Predators include hawks, owls, mink, foxes, coyote, badger *06,01*. Parasites include fleas, roundworms, tapeworms *01* such as citellIIena *06*.

References for life history: 013 , 001 , 004 , 006 , 009 , 011 , 012

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Agricultural - control grazing by domestic livestock
Agricultural - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Agricultural - retention of crop residue over winter
Agricultural - maintain woodlots
Agricultural - maintain fencerows
Forest - control grazing of domestic livestock
Forest - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Forest - maintain habitat diversity
Grassland - maintain natural vegetation (native)
Grassland - control grazing of domestic livestock
Grassland - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Grassland - maintain habitat diversity

Beneficial Management References: 001 , 004 , 009

Adverse Managment Practices:

Agricultural - application of herbicides
Agricultural - application of pesticides
Agricultural - application of insecticides
Agricultural - uncontrolled grazing by domestic livestock
Forest - application of herbicides
Forest - application of pesticides
Forest - application of insecticides
Forest - uncontrolled grazing of domestic livestock
Grassland - application of herbicides
Grassland - application of pesticides
Grassland - application of insecticides
Grassland - uncontrolled grazing of domestic livestock
Grassland - haying/mowing

Adverse Management References: 001 , 004 , 009

Comments on Management:
Periodic cultivation or removal of herbaceous ground vegetation, mowing and burning resulted in decreased use of an area until vegetation regained a height of greater than = 30 cm. *11* In IL, 2 re-introductions have been successful. Loss of habitat due to abandonment and removal of railroads, changing farming practices, and development may be responsible for reduction of range *012*. In MN, following habitat restoration and seasonal predator management to increase waterfowl nesting success, populations of Franklin's ground squirrel increased *012*. The pesticide, Dieldrin, may have led to decline *013*.

References for Management Comments: 013 , 011 , 012

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Schwartz, C.W. and E.R Schwartz. 1981. The Wild Mammals Of Missouri. 2nd Ed. Univ. Of Mo Press. Columbia. 356 Pp.
002 Hall, E.R. 1981. The Mammals Of North America, 2nd Ed. John Wiley And Sons, Inc. New York. 1181pp.
003 Unpb Elder, W.H. Collection Records. 112 Stephens Hall, Univ. Of Missouri, Columbia, Mo 65211. (573-882-3436).
004 Macclintock, D. 1978. Squirrels Of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. New York. 184 Pp.
005 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
006 Sowls, L.K. 1948. The Franklin Ground Squirrel, Citellus Franklinii (Sabine) And Its Relationship To Nesting Ducks. J. Mammal. 29:113- 137.
007 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
008 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
009 Unpb Choramanski-Norris, J.F. 1983. The Ecology Of The Franklin's Ground Squirrel In North Dakota. Ms Thesis, Univ. Of Missouri- Columbia. 70 Pp.
010 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
011 Choromanski-Norris, J., E.K. Fritzell and A.B. Sargeant. 1989. Movements And Habitat Use Of Franklin's Ground Squirrels In Duck-Nesting Habitat. J. Wildl. Manage. 53(2):234-331.
012 Unpb DeSanty-Combes, J. 2001. Report of the known distribution of the Franklin's ground squirrel (Spermophilus franklinii) in Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. 573-522-4115.
013 Martin, J.M., E.J. Heske, and J.E. Hofmann. 2003. Franklin's ground squirrel (Spermophilus franklinii) in Illinois: a declining prairie mammal? Am. Mid. Nat. 150: 130-138.
014 Helgen, K.M., F.R. Cole, L.E Helgen, D.E. and Wilson.2009. Generic Revision in the Holarctic Ground Squirrel Genus Spermophilus. J. of Mammal. 90 (2): 270-305.
015 UNPB Shelby Timm. MDC Mammal Database. Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Ellington Office. 2929 County Rd 618, Ellington, MO 63638/