Daurian Ground Squirrel

activity

Activity patterns. The Daurian Ground Squirrel is diurnal and active aboveground in late spring and summer and hibernates in simple underground burrows that are usually just a few meters in length, with nests that are less than 1 m underground. Itis an efficient hibernator, dropping its body temperature to 4 - 8 ° C and using non-shivering thermogenesis. It has become an excellent model for studying hibernation.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Open grasslands, plains, steppes, and deserts. Daurian Ground Squirrels inhabit sandy grasslands but usually not sand dunes.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Daurian Ground Squirrel appears to be solitary and lives in loose colonies. High-pitched vocalizations are frequently heard at colonies.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. The Daurian Ground Squirrel inhabits burrows with a vegetation-lined nest chamber in which young are born, but it also uses shallow escape burrows or more substantial hibernacula. Males typically emerge slightly before females in spring. Breeding can begin soon after emergence. One litter is produced annually in spring after gestation of c ¢. 30 days; litters have 2 - 9 young. Theoretical life-table analyses of Daurian Ground Squirrels from north-eastern China and the Columbian Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus columbianus) show that the two species have similar life-history traits; further, these analyses suggest a tradeoff between fecundity and survival in both species.

Sciuridae