A Model of the Daily Energy Budget of the Adult Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel, Spermophilus Tridecemlineatus

Daily energy budgets and patterns of activity of adult thirteen-lined ground squirrels, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus, were studied for 18 months. The DEB was highest (0.233 kcal gm-1 day-1) during the active season (spring-midsummer), lower (0.082 kcal gm-1 day-1) during the interim season (late summer- early autumn), and lowest (0.067 kcal gm-1 day-1 ) during hibernation. Ground squirrels spent 34.2 percent of the day out of the nest during the active season and 17.5 percent during the interim season. No significant differences were noted between daily energy budgets or patterns of activity of males or females during any season