Daurian ground squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Daurian ground squirrel |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Spermophilus
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| Species: |
dauricus
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The Daurian ground squirrel (Spermophilus dauricus) is a small, furry animal. It's a type of rodent, like a mouse or a rat. These squirrels belong to the Sciuridae family, which includes other squirrels and marmots. You can find them living in countries like China, Mongolia, and Russia.
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Where Daurian Ground Squirrels Live
These squirrels live in a large area. You can find them across northeastern China. Their home also reaches into Mongolia and a part of Russia called Transbaikalia. In China, there are two main types, or "subspecies," of Daurian ground squirrels. One type, S. d. mongolicus, lives in places like Hebei and Beijing. The other type, S. d. ramosus, is found in areas such as Jilin and Inner Mongolia.
What Daurian Ground Squirrels Look Like
Daurian ground squirrels are quite small. They measure between 165 and 270 millimeters long. That's about the length of a standard ruler! Their tail is short, only about one-fifth of their body length. They usually weigh between 165 and 265 grams, which is less than a can of soda.
Their Fur and Markings
Their fur is a buff or grayish-russet color. They don't have any spots on their bodies. The tip of their tail is yellow, and right before the yellow tip, there's a clear dark band. They also have a pale ring around each eye that goes all the way to their ear. The bottoms of their front feet are bare, but their back feet have hair on the soles. In summer, their fur is short and rough. But in winter, it grows longer and softer to keep them warm.
How Daurian Ground Squirrels Live
These ground squirrels prefer open plains. They also live on the edges of desert areas. A good example is the northern part of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia.
Their Homes and Families
Daurian ground squirrels are social animals. They live together in groups, forming colonies. They dig burrows, which are like underground tunnels. Their burrows are usually simple, often having just two entrance holes. The tunnels are usually short, less than two meters long. However, sometimes they can be much longer!
Babies and Food
Baby squirrels are born in the spring. They grow in a cozy, grass-lined nest. This nest is usually about half a meter deep inside the burrow. A mother squirrel can have anywhere from two to nine babies at a time. Their diet mainly consists of plants. They eat the green parts of plants, as well as seeds and grains.
