Franklin's ground squirrel (Poliocitellus franklinii) is a species native to tallgrass American prairie, from Canada to the northcentral United States.
The species hibernates from early fall to spring, and bears a litter of 6–8 pups at a time. The species is not choosy in its diet, eschewing the typical herbivorous diet of most squirrels when it can find insects, eggs, young birds, and fruits, seeds, and nuts when they are available.
Due to the destruction of prairie, the populations of Franklin's ground squirrel have dwindled, approaching levels of concern. However, the species is prolific, and locally abundant.
Read more about Franklin's Ground Squirrel: Taxonomy
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“The squirrel hoards nuts and the bee gathers honey, without knowing what they do, and they are thus provided for without selfishness or disgrace.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)