Spermophilus ralli
Encyclopedia
Spermophilus ralli is a species of squirrel
found in the grasslands of western China
, Kazakhstan
, and Kyrgyzstan
. A close relative of Spermophilus relictus, it is sometimes considered the same species, and shares the common name Tien Shan ground squirrel.
mountains.
for about six months from early September and the female gives birth after emergence in the spring. The gestation
period is about twenty six days with three to seven young in a litter.
Squirrel
Squirrels belong to a large family of small or medium-sized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots , flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and have been introduced to Australia...
found in the grasslands of western China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
, and Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan , officially the Kyrgyz Republic is one of the world's six independent Turkic states . Located in Central Asia, landlocked and mountainous, Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the east...
. A close relative of Spermophilus relictus, it is sometimes considered the same species, and shares the common name Tien Shan ground squirrel.
Description
This ground squirrel is about twenty centimetres long with a tail of six centimetres and weighs 300 to 400 grams. In the summer the coat is grayish or yellowish brown above with some indistinct lighter coloured spots, paler on the sides and yellowish-gray underneath. In the winter it is altogether paler and grayer. The tail has a distinctive dark coloured band and a yellowish white tip. There are no facial markings like those found in several closely related species.Distribution
This species is found in pastureland in western Xinjiang and Kazakhstan whereas S. relictus is found in the westernmost part of the Tian ShanTian Shan
The Tian Shan , also spelled Tien Shan, is a large mountain system located in Central Asia. The highest peak in the Tian Shan is Victory Peak , ....
mountains.
Biology
This species digs a complex of tunnels with a number of entrances close to each other. It is diurnal but retreats underground during the heat of the day. It often stands erect outside its burrow on its hind legs surveying the scene and is quite vocal at times. The diet consists of grasses and other vegetation, insects and other small arthropods. It hibernatesHibernation
Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve food, especially during winter when food supplies are limited, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate...
for about six months from early September and the female gives birth after emergence in the spring. The gestation
Gestation
Gestation is the carrying of an embryo or fetus inside a female viviparous animal. Mammals during pregnancy can have one or more gestations at the same time ....
period is about twenty six days with three to seven young in a litter.