Wildlifeof China
Yellow Ground Squirrel
Squirrels & Flying Squirrels
Photo: Yuriy75 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Spermophilus fulvus
Basic stats
Diet
Grasses, shoots, bulbs and seeds
Habitat
Desert, semidesert and dry steppe
Range
Central Asia from the Caspian region east toward northwestern China
Size
Approximately 23–38cm head-and-body length
Weight
Approximately 600–2,000g
The yellow ground squirrel is a large, robust ground squirrel with short ears, a relatively short tail and a sandy-yellow coat lacking conspicuous spotting. Body mass varies greatly by sex and season and may approach 2kg. Its range crosses the dry interior of Central Asia and reaches toward northwestern China. (Wikipedia, general species account)
It inhabits desert, semidesert and dry steppe, constructing deep burrows that provide refuge from temperature extremes. The diet consists mainly of grasses, shoots, bulbs and seeds. Yellow ground squirrels spend a large part of the year dormant and build substantial fat reserves during their comparatively short active season. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Quick answers
- What does the Yellow Ground Squirrel eat?
- Grasses, shoots, bulbs and seeds
- What habitat does the Yellow Ground Squirrel live in?
- Desert, semidesert and dry steppe
- Where is the Yellow Ground Squirrel found?
- Central Asia from the Caspian region east toward northwestern China
- How big is the Yellow Ground Squirrel?
- Approximately 23–38cm head-and-body length
- How much does the Yellow Ground Squirrel weigh?
- Approximately 600–2,000g