Speckled ground squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Speckled ground squirrel |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Spermophilus
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| Species: |
suslicus
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| Subspecies | |
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Three types: S. s. boristhenicus, S. s. guttatus, and S. s. suslicus |
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| Where S. suslicus lives
Resident Probably Extant, resident |
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The speckled ground squirrel, also called the spotted souslik, is a small furry animal. It belongs to the rodent family, like mice and rats. These squirrels live in Eastern Europe. There are three main types, or subspecies, of the speckled ground squirrel. Sadly, their homes are shrinking, which puts them at risk.
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What Do They Look Like?
The speckled ground squirrel has dark-brown fur. It has many white spots on its back, which is how it got its name. It also has a short, thin tail. These squirrels can grow to be about 25 centimeters (10 inches) long. They usually weigh around 280 grams (10 ounces). They are smaller and less social than many other types of ground squirrels.
Where Do They Live?
You can find speckled ground squirrels in countries like Belarus, Moldova, Poland, European Russia, and Ukraine. They naturally live in open, grassy areas called grasslands. They can also be found in farm fields.
Their homes are getting smaller and broken up. This is happening because more land is used for farming and growing trees. Also, less land is used for animals to graze. Cities and factories are growing too, taking up more space. In some places, people even hunt them because they think the squirrels harm crops.
In Poland and southern Russia, the area where these squirrels live has shrunk a lot. Only about 10% of their original habitat from the mid-1900s is left. If this continues, the speckled ground squirrel might disappear from Poland very soon.
How They Live: Daily Life and Reproduction
The speckled ground squirrel is active during the day. It sleeps through the winter, a process called hibernation, from October to April. In the morning, after the sun warms up the ground, the squirrel comes out. It goes back into its underground home when it gets too hot. Later in the day, it comes out again to find more food.
These squirrels mostly eat grasses and grains. Sometimes, they also eat small insects or other tiny animals. Unlike some other squirrels, they live in areas with tall grasses. This makes it harder to see them.
Speckled ground squirrels live in groups called colonies. Each squirrel has its own burrow, or underground tunnel. These colonies can have more than 160 squirrels in an area the size of a football field. They mate between April and May. After about 23 to 26 days, a mother squirrel gives birth. She usually has four to eight babies at a time.
Who Hunts Them?
Weasels, which are small, quick animals, are known to hunt speckled ground squirrels. They can even go into the squirrels' burrows. Weasels often hunt young squirrels, but they usually don't attack adult ones.
Sometimes, adult speckled ground squirrels have been seen harming their own young when in captivity. This can be done by male or female squirrels, or both.
Talking to Each Other: Alarm Calls
Speckled ground squirrels use special sounds called alarm calls. They use these calls for different reasons. One main reason is to warn other squirrels about danger, like a predator nearby. The calls also tell predators that the squirrels have seen them.
Each squirrel's alarm call can be a bit different. You can even tell how old a squirrel is by its call. However, they can't tell if a squirrel is a friend or a stranger, or if it's a male or female, just by its call.
