Red-cheeked ground squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red-cheeked ground squirrel |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Spermophilus
|
| Species: |
erythrogenys
|
The red-cheeked ground squirrel (Spermophilus erythrogenys) is a type of rodent in the Sciuridae family. It is also known as the red-cheeked ground souslik. This animal lives in central Asia. There are several recognized kinds, or subspecies, of this squirrel. Some scientists are still discussing if Spermophilus pallidicauda and Spermophilus brevicauda are separate species or just different names for this one.
What Does It Look Like?
The red-cheeked ground squirrel has a strong, low body. It has short legs and a furry tail. The tail is about one-third the length of its body. It has special pouches inside its cheeks. These pouches help it carry food. Its head, neck, and body are usually grayish-brown. There is a reddish-orange patch on its nose.
Where Do They Live?
You can find the red-cheeked ground squirrel in many parts of central Asia. This includes Kazakhstan, Altai and Western Siberia. They also live in Mongolia and China (in the Xinjiang province). They like to live in wide-open areas called steppes. They also live in forest-steppes, deserts, and semi-deserts. They often choose pastures, empty fields, and areas next to roads. In mountains, they can be found up to 2,100 meters high.
How They Live
The way these squirrels behave changes a lot depending on where they live. In some places, they go into hibernation during winter. This is a deep sleep to save energy. In other areas, they might go into aestivation. This is a similar sleep during hot, dry times.
These squirrels are active during the day. They eat green parts of plants, seeds, and roots. They dig burrows, which are underground tunnels. Some burrows have permanent entrances that go straight down. Others have temporary entrances that slant. Their burrows can be up to 2.8 meters deep. The tunnels can stretch up to 4.75 meters long. In some areas, you might find 100 holes and 15 to 20 squirrels in just one hectare (about 2.5 acres).
Reproduction and Young
How many young they have can change. It often depends on the weather. If spring is long and cold, they might have fewer babies. A mother squirrel usually has 2 to 12 young in a litter. Most often, she will have 7 to 9 babies at a time.
These ground squirrels are common in many areas. Sometimes, they are seen as a problem for farms. Local people might hunt them for food and fur. However, their population is stable. Because of this, they are listed as "least concern" by the IUCN Red List. This means they are not currently at risk of disappearing.
