State Symbols Game
State Animal
The Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel?
Incorrect. Although the thirteen-lined ground squirrel (scientific name Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) was a finalist, it was not chosen as the State Animal of Illinois.
This burrowing squirrel is found mainly in grassland areas, especially areas with short grass. In Illinois it occurs north of a line from Clark to Madison Counties (along Highway 40).