The russet ground squirrel (Spermophilus major) is a large, burrowing rodent of the squirrel family Sciuridae, also known as the hibernating large ground squirrel, the large-toothed suslik and the reddish ground squirrel. It lives on the steppe of west central Asia, between the Volga and Irtysh rivers in Russia and northern Kazakhstan, and its range has been spreading south and west as roads, dams and water channels open up new ground. A stout, short-legged animal, it grows to a body length of up to about 340 millimetres and a weight near 500 grams, with a dark ochre-brown back mottled with lighter ochre, a silvery-grey crown and rufous patches on the cheeks and above the eyes. It digs permanent and temporary burrows, is active by day, and hibernates for six and a half to eight and a half months each year. Its diet is mainly the green parts of plants, roots, bulbs and seeds, and it also takes cereal crops, which is why farmers count it as a pest. Each year the females raise a single litter of about seven or eight young.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Relationship to PeopleAgricultural or Structural Pest 1 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Activity Pattern Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Russet ground squirrel (Wikipedia)
In Biome
Steppe, Biomes Source Russet ground squirrel (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Russet ground squirrel (Wikipedia)Distribution, KazakhstanQuote, Distribution, Kazakhstan
The russet ground squirrel is found on steppe between the Volga and Irtysh rivers in Russia and North Kazakhstan
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Russet ground squirrel (Wikipedia)Distribution, RussiaQuote, Distribution, Russia
The russet ground squirrel is found on steppe between the Volga and Irtysh rivers in Russia and North Kazakhstan
Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web: Spermophilus major (russet ground squirrel)
Animal Diversity WebConservation Status
Russet ground squirrels are a widespread and abundant species, and are considered Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.
Food Habits
Russet ground squirrels are herbivores that forage on the ground and have cheek pouches
Habitat
Russet ground squirrels are considered meadow ground squirrels, and are generally found in steppe habitat with loamy soil.
Behavior
Russet ground squirrels are diurnal.
Conservation Status, living or extinct
Russet ground squirrels are a widespread and abundant species
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Russet ground squirrels are considered serious crop pests of wheat, rye and millet.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Humans capture russet ground squirrels for their pelts, but overall the pelts play a minor part in the fur trade.
Ecosystem Roles
Russet ground squirrels can be a vector of the bubonic plague
View the Source Russet ground squirrel (Wikipedia)
Distribution, Russia
The russet ground squirrel is found on steppe between the Volga and Irtysh rivers in Russia and North Kazakhstan
Distribution, Kazakhstan
The russet ground squirrel is found on steppe between the Volga and Irtysh rivers in Russia and North Kazakhstan
In Group: Rodents And Lagomorphs, Lead
The russet ground squirrel (Spermophilus major) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae.
Child Taxon Of: Spermophilus, Lead
The russet ground squirrel (Spermophilus major) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae.
In Biome: Steppe, Distribution
The russet ground squirrel is found on steppe between the Volga and Irtysh rivers in Russia and North Kazakhstan
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