Ground squirrels are found in many areas of the United States. They live in underground burrows and are often attacked by birds of prey, coyotes, and boBCats. Which of the following is a limiting factor for a ground squirrel population?

The option which is a limiting factor for a ground squirrel population is a population of hawks. If hawks were to overpopulate the area, that would obviously negatively impact the population of ground squirrels given that hawks are birds of prey which feed of small rodents such as squirrels, among other things. So a large number of hawks would limit the number of squirrels that live on the ground.