TLS RESEARCH
USDA License No. 33-B-0192
Telephone (voice or FAX): 630-351-0991
E-mail: seg50@comcast.net
THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRRELS
Thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys <Spermophilus> tridecemlineatus) are our business. The animals are live trapped as ordered. TLS Research is unmatched in its ability to supply large quantities of thirteen-lined ground squirrels in a short time.
MAINTENANCE
In most ways thirteen-lined ground squirrels can be maintained like laboratory rats, but they must be caged individually. They are best handled wearing two pair of cotton work gloves. Standard rat or rodent chows, occasionally supplemented with sunflower seeds, provide an adequate diet. Upon arrival the animals must be immediately removed from the shipping crate and supplied with water. As a hibernating animal, these ground squirrels can be expected to enter a hypothermic state even at normal room temperature anytime during November through mid-March. Length of the hibernating state may vary from one to four weeks at room temperature. Withholding drinking water can stimulate the onset of hibernation during these months.
NESTING MATERIAL
Our experience indicates that some type of nesting material is crucial for the continuing good health of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel. Since this animal should be caged individually, and since its surface area to body mass ratio is large; these factors facilitate rapid body heat loss and a susceptibility to opportunistic infections. Cotton or shredded paper are excellent nesting materials and will help to avoid chilling. As a burrowing animal, allowing the squirrel to "hide" itself within the dark confines of the nesting material diminishes captivity stress.
HEALTHCARE
Perhaps
the most troublesome potential problems in wild ground squirrels are
opportunistic infections from organisms normally harbored by these animals.
Symptoms may appear when the animal is stressed from capture and transport. The
most serious of these are ascarid nematode (worm)
infections of the upper GI tract. Subsequent possible secondary larval
migration to the mid-brain causes head tilting and ultimately death. Deworming
is accomplished by
If the animal appears to be succumbing to stress (lethargy, body hair raised, unsteady movements, rapid weight loss, serous nasal discharge, shivering), the animal can usually be saved by moving it immediately into a dry warm area (85-90° F) under an infrared heat lamp. Antibiotics may help, but consult your veterinarian first.
A problem we have rarely encountered, but which might nonetheless occur under laboratory conditions, is impaction of cheek pouches. Sometimes these animals will pack seeds so tightly into their cheek pouches, that they cannot completely express the material. We have removed as much as 7.0 grams of impacted material from one cheek pouch in wild-caught individuals. If impaction has persisted too long, the malocclusion will prevent normal ingestion. Also the impacted material tends to ferment. Maloccluded incisors must, therefore, first be clipped or ground to proper length. Then, if necessary, a ground and sieved (0.21 mm screen) slurry of lab chow can be gastrically intubated with a syringe and a 13 cm length of flexible (Tygon® R-3603, 2 mm O.D.) tubing. The lab chow can be mixed with water or milk. A drop or two of a multivitamin mix may be added.
Another infrequent problem reported is urolithiasis in males during long-term captivity. If necessary, weekly diet supplementation with mink chow (high protein) along with ascorbic acid in the drinking water should help to maintain acidic urine and prevent formation of urinary tract magnesium ammonium phosphate calculi.
Ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, etc.) are endemic among wild-caught ground squirrels. Although we try to minimize infestations before shipment, we cannot guarantee that all animals will be 100% ectoparasite-free. Therefore, with the guidance of your veterinarian, dusting or dipping protocols must be performed as soon as possible after arrival. Ivermectin as used for deworming also has been reported as effective against ectoparasites.
Body length: 11.5 to 16.5 cm
Adult weight: 150-240 g
Anesthesia: Na-pentobarbital, 40-50 mg/kg, i.p.
Ketamine, 22-45 mg/kg, i.p.
AVAILABILITY
July 16 to September 21.
We have no control over the capture of one sex over another. Therefore, we cannot honor orders for one sex, exclusively.
Since we
are dependent upon a naturally occurring supply of thirteen-lined ground squirrels,
shipment of orders before July 15 is discouraged. April-May is the annual
breeding season for thirteen-lined ground squirrels, during which our natural
supply renews itself. During June, July and early August, the young of the
season grow to an acceptable shipping weight of about 75 grams. With
approaching winter and hibernation, these animals disappear rapidly in October.
Therefore, we cannot guarantee completion of orders
received after September 21.
GUARANTEE
Live delivery is guaranteed. However, credit will be issued for dead or unsatisfactory animals if we are notified within 48 hours of delivery. NEVER return animals. No other guarantees or warranties are stated or otherwise implied. The liability of TLS Research is limited to the purchase cost of the ground squirrels only. The investigator is responsible for learning proper care of these unique animals before arrival.
These animals are wild-caught and unconditioned. Every effort is made to send only apparently healthy animals. Please keep in mind that these are wild animals and will bite when handled. The investigator or purchaser should make allowances for the above and acceptance of these ground squirrels acknowledges that they may harbor internal and/or external parasites or microbes capable of causing human and/or animal diseases, which may not be obvious at the time of shipment. Since these ground squirrels are obtained from an uncontrolled environment, it is particularly essential to quarantine new arrivals in accordance with good laboratory animal practice under the supervision of a veterinarian.
PLACING ORDERS
We must
have your purchase order number when placing an order. Also, we need your purchase order no later
than noon CDT of the Thursday prior to the week of intended delivery. This allows appropriate lead time to arrange
transportation.
Please provide us with a telephone and FAX number and e-mail address with the name of a person to notify of arrival.
PRICES (April 2013)
Random sex and weight, wild-trapped,
Non-conditioned, $59.95 each
International orders are suspended until further notice.
NOTE: Add 50% to above prices on orders requiring October delivery.
Prices
are F.O.B. Chicago,
Due to volatile fuel prices, all shipping charges are estimates. Exact charges are quoted when placing your order.
Plastic shipping boxes are used, and the crate charge per 10 animals is: $39.95
On each domestic shipment the air freight charge for door to door delivery is $650 (up to 20 animals). Climate-controlled vehicles are used throughout transport. Livestock cannot be sent collect. Shipments are sent Monday through Wednesday only. Since the USDA prohibits shipment of livestock when temperatures exceed 85° F, we may not be able to assure a specific delivery time during hot weather. We reserve the right to choose the carrier and routing of shipment most appropriate for live delivery of animals.
TERMS
Net 30 days. Payment in U.S. dollars only. A finance charge of 1.5% per month is assessed balances outstanding after 30 days from the date of invoice. Payer is responsible for all fees attendant to the remission of payment. Prices are subject to change without notice.
We look forward to your order. THANK YOU!
© TLS Research 2013