Tian Shan Ground Squirrel

The Tian Shan ground squirrel lives in the grasslands of western China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It is about 20cm long with a 6cm tail and weighs 300–400g. In summer the coat is grayish or yellowish-brown above with some indistinct lighter spots, paler on the sides and yellowish-gray underneath; in winter it is altogether paler and grayer (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is diurnal but retreats underground during the heat of the day, and often stands erect on its hind legs outside its burrow, surveying the scene. It is quite vocal at times. The diet is grasses and other vegetation, insects and other small arthropods. Gestation lasts about 26 days, with three to seven young in a litter (Wikipedia, general species account).