Yellow ground squirrel
The yellow ground squirrel (Spermophilus fulvus) is a large and sturdy ground squirrel species native to Afghanistan, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Russia. It inhabits sandy steppes with Artemisia, glasswort and tamarisk.[1]
| Yellow ground squirrel | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Sciuridae |
| Genus: | Spermophilus |
| Species: | S. fulvus |
| Binomial name | |
| Spermophilus fulvus (Lichtenstein, 1823) | |
The yellow ground squirrel has naked soles on the hind feet excluding heels. It is strictly diurnal and forages mainly in the morning when the vegetation is still damp. lives a very gregarious lifestyle in large colonies. Diet includes bulbs, seeds, stems and leaves. Like many other ground squirrels it hibernates, but it may also aestivate.[2]
References
- Cassola, F. (2017). "Spermophilus fulvus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2017: e.T20484A22263403. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T20484A22263403.en.
- Aulagnier S.; P. Haffner, A. J. Mitchell-Jones, F. Moutou & J. Zima (2009). Mammals of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, A&C Black, London.
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