Habitat use and coexistence of ground squirrels in northern Missouri

Franklin's and thirteen-lined ground squirrels inhabit North American grasslands and are species of conservation concern in Missouri. Thirteen-lined ground squirrels inhabit areas of short herbaceous vegetation, while Franklin's ground squirrels inhabit areas with tall vegetation. Their ranges overlap in Missouri however, no information exists regarding their coexistence. I investigated the spatial distribution and habitat use of both ground squirrel species in an area of common habitation in northwestern Missouri. Thirteen-lined ground squirrels were found more often than expected in hayfields. Foraging and burrowing sites were similar between species, but vegetation cover at thirteen-lined ground squirrel sites was greater than at Franklin's ground squirrel sites. Both species utilized areas with vegetation of similar height. These results indicate that thirteen-lined ground squirrels are more ubiquitous and less selective of habitat as originally believed. Continued existence of these species requires native grasslands interspersed throughout agricultural land to provide habitat for ground squirrels.