thirteen-lined ground squirrel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “thirteen-lined ground squirrel” mean?
A small, striped ground-dwelling rodent native to North American grasslands.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, striped ground-dwelling rodent native to North American grasslands.
A specific species of ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) characterized by thirteen alternating light and dark stripes running along its back and sides. It hibernates during winter.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively used in North American contexts due to the animal's habitat. In the UK, it would only be used in zoological or specialist settings.
Connotations
American: Connotes the specific animal and its ecological context. British: Connotes exotic zoology or academic study.
Frequency
Extremely rare in British English; low but more specific in American English, primarily in central regions of North America.
Grammar
How to Use “thirteen-lined ground squirrel” in a Sentence
The [thirteen-lined ground squirrel] [verb: hibernates/burrows/eats].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thirteen-lined ground squirrel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The area is known to be thirteen-lined ground squirrel territory.
- We observed the behaviour characteristic of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel.
American English
- The field is populated by thirteen-lined ground squirrels.
- You can thirteen-line-ground-squirrel-watch in the prairies.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable]
American English
- [Not applicable]
adjective
British English
- [Not commonly used adjectivally]
American English
- [Not commonly used adjectivally]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in biology, ecology, and zoology papers.
Everyday
Very rare; used when specifically describing the animal, often in regions where it is native.
Technical
Standard term in mammalogy and field guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thirteen-lined ground squirrel”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thirteen-lined ground squirrel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thirteen-lined ground squirrel”
- Confusing it with a chipmunk (which has facial stripes and a bushier tail).
- Incorrectly hyphenating as 'thirteen lined-ground-squirrel'.
- Calling it a 'thirteen-striped ground squirrel' (though 'striped' and 'lined' are used interchangeably).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both are striped, chipmunks have facial stripes, bushier tails, and are more arboreal. The thirteen-lined ground squirrel has no facial stripes, a less bushy tail, and is fully ground-dwelling.
They are native to the central grasslands of North America, from central Canada down through the central United States to northern Mexico.
The name comes from the pattern of seven dark brown stripes and six paler, tan stripes that run along its back and sides, creating thirteen distinct longitudinal lines.
It is an omnivore. Its diet consists mainly of seeds, nuts, insects, small vertebrates, and occasionally carrion.
A small, striped ground-dwelling rodent native to North American grasslands.
Thirteen-lined ground squirrel is usually technical/scientific in register.
Thirteen-lined ground squirrel: in British English it is pronounced /ˌθɜːtiːnˌlaɪnd ɡraʊnd ˈskwɪrəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌθɝrˈtinˌlaɪnd ɡraʊnd ˈskwɝːəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to this term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: THIRTEEN lines on its back, it lives on the GROUND, and it's a SQUIRREL.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often serves as a metaphor for efficient hibernation or meticulous patterning.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary habitat of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel?