Franklin's Ground Squirrel

Spermophilus franklinii

Rare in Illinois and threatened in Indiana

Franklin's Ground Squirrel is very rare in Illinois and threatened in Indiana. It lives in densely vegetated grasslands and feeds mostly on plant matter. It closely resembles the Gray Tree Squirrel, although Franklin's Ground Squirrel has a smaller head and a shorter, less bushy tail. Because it dislikes open areas with little vegetation, Franklin's Ground Squirrel communities tend to not move across farmland and can therefore become isolated from one another. With increased land being used for farming, more and more communities are becoming isolated, weakening their genetic pool and leaving individuals more susceptible to disease and death.