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Litter Size

How many babies does a Mohave ground squirrel have at once? (litter size)

How many baby Mohave ground squirrels are in a litter?

A Mohave ground squirrel (Spermophilus mohavensis) usually gives birth to around 6 babies.

Each of those little ones spend around 24 days as a fetus before they are released into the wild. Upon birth, they weight 4 grams (0.01 lbs) and measure 5.2 cm (0′ 3″). They are a member of the Sciuridae family (genus: Spermophilus). An adult Mohave ground squirrel grows up to a size of 15.7 cm (0′ 7″).

To have a reference: Humans obviously usually have a litter size of one ;). Their babies are in the womb of their mother for 280 days (40 weeks) and reach an average size of 1.65m (5′ 5″). They weight in at 62 kg (137 lbs), which is obviously highly individual, and reach an average age of 75 years.

The average litter size of a Mohave ground squirrel is 6

The Mohave ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis) is a species of ground squirrel found only in the Mojave Desert in California. The squirrel was discovered in 1886 by Frank Stephens of San Diego (after whom the Stephens soft-haired ground squirrel is named). It is listed as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act, but not under the federal Endangered Species Act. The IUCN lists this species as vulnerable.The Mojave ground squirrel measures about nine inches from nose to tail and feeds on leaves and seeds from February to July. Near the end of July, the squirrels begin a period of estivation, but this may occur as early as April in drought years. Litters do not survive if drought years force an early hibernation. Local populations can be wiped out if a drought lasts for multiple years.This squirrel inhabits the western Mojave Desert in portions of Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties. It can occupy Joshua tree woodlands, creosote scrub, saltbush scrub and mojave mixed woody scrub. Typical forage plants are those that meet nutritional and water content requirements. These can include shrubs such as winterfat, spiny hopsage, and boxthorn (Lycium spp.). Preferred annuals include Coreopsis spp., Eremalche spp., Astragalus spp., and lupine.Soils are usually friable and conducive to burrow excavation. Areas of preferred habitat include habitat types that provide ample forage to allow Mohave ground squirrels to persist during drought periods. These persistent populations may act as core areas from which populations expand from during adequate rainfall years which are required for Mohave ground squirrels to reproduce. This dynamic expansion and contraction in populations can make it challenging to determine whether the species is present since extended periods of drought can cause a die-off on local populations until surrounding populations expand during consecutive reproductive years.Mohave ground squirrels emit a high-pitched “peep” as an alarm call, when startled or when young begin to emerge from their natal burrows. The vocalization is sometimes confused with that of the horned lark. Mohave ground squirrels can occasionally be sighted perched in Lycium cooperii or in Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) during mid-morning (9-11 a.m.) hours (April–June) basking in the sun.Males emerge from hibernation in early February and females are soon to follow. Reproduction occurs in early March and gestation lasts for about four weeks. Litters range from 4-6 individuals. Juveniles emerge from the natal burrows in late May to Mid June. Predators include badgers, coyotes, snakes, falcons and hawks.

Other animals of the family Sciuridae

Mohave ground squirrel is a member of the Sciuridae, as are these animals:

Animals that share a litter size with Mohave ground squirrel

Those animals also give birth to 6 babies at once:

Animals with the same weight as a Mohave ground squirrel

What other animals weight around 213 grams (0.47 lbs)?

Animals with the same size as a Mohave ground squirrel

Also reaching around 15.7 cm (0′ 7″) in size do these animals: