From Jen Marie

Though listed as common by ODNR, most people don’t realize that Ohio is home to a native ground squirrel. The thirteen-lined ground squirrel can be found mainly in the western half of the state, in open short and mid- grass prairies, cemeteries, golf courses, and other sites with expanses of mowed grass.

Fun fact: Unlike some animals that go into periods of winter inactivity, ground squirrels are true hibernators. This hibernation process starts in late summer or fall when they begin fattening up for winter. A ground squirrel nearly doubles its weight during fall feeding. Since no food is eaten while hibernating, this is key to survival. Ground squirrels lose between one-third and one-half of their weight during hibernation. Body temperature drops from a range of 86 to 106 degrees to 37 degrees. Their heartbeat falls from 200 to 300 beats per minute to a rate as low as five beats per minute. Breathing drops from a rate of 50 times per minute to four times per minute.