Pallid ground squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pallid ground squirrel |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
The pallid ground squirrel (Spermophilus pallidicauda) is a type of rodent. It belongs to the Sciuridae family, which includes squirrels, chipmunks, and marmots. This small animal lives in Mongolia and a nearby area called Nei Mongol.
Scientists once wondered if the pallid ground squirrel was just a type of another squirrel. But studies using DNA showed it is its own unique species. This means it is different from other similar squirrels like Spermophilus erythrogenys, Spermophilus brevicauda, and Spermophilus alashanicus.
Where Do Pallid Ground Squirrels Live?
The pallid ground squirrel can be found in Mongolia. They live near places like Lake Khulu-Nur and the Baidarak River. You can also find them in Ullyn Bulyk and parts of the Mongolian and Gobi Altai Mountains.
Other similar squirrel species live in different areas. For example, the Alashan ground squirrel lives in the Alashan Desert. The Spermophilus brevicauda lives in eastern Kazakhstan and the Tian Shan mountains. These groups usually live in separate places. However, sometimes the pallid ground squirrel and the Alashan ground squirrel meet. When they do, they can sometimes have babies together.
What Do Pallid Ground Squirrels Look Like?
This ground squirrel has a light, straw-brown color. In summer, its fur looks more sandy. But it is always lighter than other similar squirrels. Its short tail is a yellowish-white color. It has a rusty stripe along most of the top side of its tail.
The pallid ground squirrel also has a white stripe on the side of its face. Its eyelids are white, and there is a rusty spot under each eye. Its belly is usually paler than its back. These squirrels are about 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) long.
Pallid Ground Squirrel Behavior
The pallid ground squirrel is quite common in the grasslands of the Gobi Desert. It also lives in other nearby areas. These squirrels like to live in groups, forming colonies. They are active during the day, which means they are diurnal. This is when they search for food and interact with each other.
