Brandt’s ground squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brandt’s ground squirrel |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Spermophilus brevicauda (also known as Brandt’s ground squirrel) is a type of rodent. It belongs to the squirrel family, called Sciuridae. These small animals live in eastern Kazakhstan and the northern part of the Xinjiang region in China. For a while, scientists weren't sure if it was its own species or a subspecies of another ground squirrel. But studies in 2007 confirmed it is a unique species.
Where Do Brandt's Ground Squirrels Live?
Brandt's ground squirrel can be found in eastern Kazakhstan, near Lake Zaysan. They also live south and west along the Tian Shan mountain range, all the way to the city of Almaty. You can find them on both sides of the border between Kazakhstan and China.
Other similar ground squirrels, like the Alashan ground squirrel (Spermophilus alashanicus) and Spermophilus pallidicauda, live in different areas. They are separated by natural features like the Alashan Desert. This means they don't usually meet or mix with Brandt's ground squirrels.
What Does a Brandt's Ground Squirrel Look Like?
Brandt's ground squirrel is smaller than many other ground squirrel species. It usually grows to be about 16.5 to 21 centimeters (6.5 to 8.3 inches) long. Its tail is quite short, only about 3 to 5 centimeters (1.2 to 2 inches) long. These squirrels can weigh up to 440 grams (about 1 pound).
Their fur is an ochre brown color, which is a yellowish-brown. They have distinct lighter spots on their bodies. Their back feet are a reddish-brown color, and their tail is often reddish too. However, in some places, their tail might be more yellowish. You can also see paler areas around their eyes, with rust-colored patches both above and below them.
How Do Brandt's Ground Squirrels Live?
Brandt's ground squirrels prefer to live in dry grasslands, called steppes, and areas with scattered bushes, known as semi-desert brushlands. They can live alone or in groups. They dig burrows in the ground, which are like underground homes.
These burrows are important for them to survive. In the cold winter, they hibernate in their burrows, which means they go into a deep sleep to save energy. When the summer gets too hot, they also use their burrows to aestivate. This is similar to hibernation but happens in hot weather. The entrance to their burrow is often hidden at the base of a bush.
Brandt's ground squirrels are mostly vegetarians. They eat plants that grow during different seasons. Their diet includes young shoots from shrubs, as well as bulbs and tubers, which are parts of plants that grow underground. Unlike some other ground squirrels, Brandt's ground squirrels don't often stand up on their back legs. If they sense danger, their alarm call is a quiet squeak.
