Spotted critter in my yard, looks like chipmunk/squirrell cross

12 years ago

Out of nowhere there are these small critters living in our yard. I don't know what they are. They are a rodent but they are bigger than a chipmunk and smaller than a squirrel and resemble both. Their tail is short and furry but not as fluffy as a squirrel or They are brown and their backs have stripes the length of the body and spots too. They live in the ground. They laying in the shade of one of my pots, they will lay on their stomach and their body is pretty long, about three inches.

I live near forest, prairie and swamp. I feel like I should know what these are but I've lived in the city most of my life and recently moved out to the country. For example I just saw my first red-winged black bird in the last two years. Saw my first house finch the other day.

Should I be concerned about these little guys or will they leave me, my house and my plants alone?

Featured Answer

morz8 - Washington Coast

12 years ago

Maybe this one?

Spermophilus tridecemlineatus

Here is a link that might be useful: thirteen-lined ground squirrel

Comments (9)

MojaveLove
Original Author
12 years ago
Actually I am wrong about the length of their tail, it is about the same length as their body.
Related Professionals
Otsego Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Winder Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Barrington Landscape Contractors · Lynchburg Landscape Contractors · Melrose Park Landscape Contractors · Olympia Landscape Contractors · Snoqualmie Landscape Contractors · Weslaco Landscape Contractors · Chattanooga Driveway Installation & Maintenance · Chattanooga Driveway Installation & Maintenance · Gurnee Driveway Installation & Maintenance · New Bedford Driveway Installation & Maintenance · Fort Myers Driveway Installation & Maintenance · Buena Park Swimming Pool Builders · Tampa Swimming Pool Builders
MojaveLove
Original Author
12 years ago
That might be it thanks! I'll have to look into it to make doubly sure, but that is the marking. Thanks again!! Hopefully these are not pests and will just run around being cute.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
12 years ago
I'd give them major leeway, just for the cuteness factor!
MojaveLove
Original Author
12 years ago
They are super cute and pretty funny. They will lay in the shade of the pots on my porch and sprawl out on their stomach, all limbs sticking out. Hilarious. I have read that they can be pretty bad pests but our yard isn't really a yard, it is a prairie and we live in a townhome so we have like, a few random trees and some flowers next to the porch and that's it. My only annoyance is they like to kick up the mulch everywhere.
terryr
12 years ago
Sounds like ground squirrels. I don't have them currently at this house, i would love to though ;) I had them before and I sure didn't have any problems with them. They were fun to watch, that's for sure!
Karen Tate
7 years ago
Oh, yeah. The gold manted ground squirrel! I wish we had squirrels :(. (THIS IS AVERIL NOT KAREN)
Karen Tate
7 years ago
They'll leave you alone.
Karen Tate
7 years ago
Your house too