Long-tailed ground squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Long-tailed ground squirrel |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Urocitellus
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| Species: |
undulatus
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The long-tailed ground squirrel is a fascinating type of squirrel. It is also known as Eversmann's souslik. Its scientific name is Urocitellus undulatus. You can find these busy animals in countries like China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The long-tailed ground squirrel has a strong, low body. It has short legs and a long, bushy tail. Its body can grow up to 315 millimetres (12.4 in) long. The tail itself can be up to 160 millimetres (6.3 in) long.
Colors and Patterns
The fur on its back is brown. It has a pattern of small, dark spots. Its belly is a lighter, yellowish-brown color. The sides of its body might have a reddish tint. Its tail has stripes of brown and black. It also has a light stripe along the edge and a pale tip.
Where Do They Live?
These squirrels live in many different places. They can be found in grassy plains and mountain areas. They live up to 3,100 metres (10,200 ft) high. You might see them at the edges of pine or birch forests. They also live in clearings and on farms.
Their Home Range
Their main home is in Southern Siberia and Altai in Russia. Their range extends all the way to Manchuria. There are also two groups living separately in Eastern Siberia. One group is in southeastern Yakutia. The other is in the south of the Amur region. They also live across Mongolia and parts of northwestern and northeastern China.
How Do They Live?
Long-tailed ground squirrels live together in groups. They build amazing homes underground. These homes are like a maze of tunnels.
Their Burrows
In sandy soil, their burrows can be 3 metres (9.8 ft) deep. They have one main entrance. This entrance is surrounded by a large mound of soil. This mound can be up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) wide! The tunnels underground can stretch for 15 metres (49 ft).
In heavier clay soil, the burrows are a bit different. They are about 2 metres (6.6 ft) deep. The tunnels are shorter, about 5–7 metres (16–23 ft) long. These burrows usually have several entrances.
Daily Life and Hibernation
These squirrels wake up from their long winter sleep in March. They are most active in the early morning. They also come out again in the afternoon and evening. During the middle of the day, they usually rest in their burrows.
They start getting ready for winter in October. Before they hibernate, they store a lot of food. They can store up to 6 kilograms (13 lb) of plants and grains in their burrows!
What Do They Eat?
Long-tailed ground squirrels eat many different things. Their diet includes green plants and seeds. They also enjoy insects, bulbs, and roots.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
About a month after waking up from hibernation, the young are born. A mother squirrel usually has five to eight babies in one litter.
