Long-tailed Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus undulatus) lives in arctic tundra across Northern Asia. It feeds on seeds and fruits. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Long-tailed Ground Squirrel
- Their underground cities stretch farther than a city bus route, with sandy-soil burrows digging down 3 m (9.8 ft) and crowned by a soil mound up to 2 m (6.6 ft) across. Inside, tunnels can snake for as long as 15 m (49 ft), creating a labyrinth. In heavier clay, holes are about 2 m deep, extend 5-7 m (16-23 ft) and feature several entrances.
- A single litter can hold up to eight newborns, with most broods containing five to eight young. Mothers give birth about a month after emerging from hibernation. The squirrels live in colonies. Early-morning and late-afternoon activity patterns are observed.
- Longer than a school ruler, the long-tailed ground squirrel reaches a body length of up to 315 mm (12.4 in) with a tail that adds another 160 mm (6.3 in). Its compact, low-slung build and bushy tail. The striking brown back dotted with dark spots.
- Higher than most ski lifts, these squirrels inhabit submontane steppes up to 3,100 m (10,200 ft) above sea level. Their range stretches from Southern Siberia and Altai across Mongolia to north-western China.
- Before winter, they stash more than a small adult's grocery bag, hoarding up to 6 kg (13 lb) of vegetation and grain inside their burrows. This stockpile fuels them through a hibernation that begins in October and lasts until they emerge in March.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeNorthern Asia
HabitatArctic tundra
DietSeeds and fruits
About the Long-tailed Ground Squirrel
In the sun-drenched expanses of the Eurasian steppes, the long-tailed ground squirrel darts with abandon, its slender form weaving through the tall grasses with an air of joyful urgency. As it moves, its bushy tail streams behind like a banner, a vibrant counterpoint to the muted tones of its surroundings, and its bright, inquisitive eyes shine like jewels in the sunlight. With each nimble leap, the squirrel embodies the very essence of its unfettered habitat, unencumbered and free.
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