Arctic Ground Squirrel
ExploreMammals
Arctic Ground Squirrel
urocitellus parryii
The Arctic Ground Squirrel is a resilient and highly social rodent native to the wind-swept tundras, alpine meadows, and river valleys of North America and Siberia. As the largest of the North American ground squirrels, they have developed extraordinary adaptations to survive some of the harshest winters on Earth. These animals live in tight-knit colonies and excavate elaborate burrow systems in the sandy, well-drained soils above the permafrost, constantly communicating with their neighbors using a complex vocabulary of bird-like chirps and whistles to warn of approaching predators. Use the Snappit app to scan, identify, and learn about Arctic Ground Squirrel in real-time.
Habitat: Found in open arctic tundra, alpine meadows, and sandy river banks with well-drained soils above the permafrost layer.
Appearance
The Arctic Ground Squirrel has a robust, cylindrical body with a short, flat tail, measuring around 33 to 50 centimeters in total length. Its dense coat features a beautiful mottled pattern of reddish-brown, tan, and gray fur, thickly speckled with distinct white spots along its back. The face, shoulders, and sides of its neck are washed with a warm, rusty-cinnamon color, while its underparts are a pale cream or light tan. It has small, rounded ears set flat against its skull to minimize heat loss, and strong, dark claws specialized for digging through tough tundra soils.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilySciuridaeGenusUrocitellus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Male Arctic ground squirrels wake up from hibernation up to three weeks earlier than females, using cached seeds to regain muscle mass and elevate testosterone levels before mating.
They are known to occasionally scavenge on the carcasses of other animals, including snowshoe hares, to secure high-quality proteins and fats for the winter.
To achieve supercooling, these squirrels purge their blood of any potential ice-nucleating agents, preventing ice crystals from forming in their blood vessels.
Special abilities
Ability
Extreme Supercooling
During hibernation, their core body temperature drops below freezing to as low as -2.9 degrees Celsius without solidifying, the lowest measured temperature of any living mammal.
Ability
Sentry Alarm System
They coordinate colony defense by posting sentries who use high-pitched, bird-like whistles to warn others of aerial or terrestrial threats.
Ability
Rapid Neural Regeneration
Upon waking from hibernation, their brains rapidly rebuild shrunken neural connections within hours to quickly restore full cognitive function.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 33-50 cm
- Weight
- 0.4-1.2 kg
- Lifespan
- 3-6 years
- Top Speed
- 30 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 5-10
- Incubation
- 25-30 days
Diet & Feeding
An opportunistic feeder that primarily consumes tundra plants, seeds, and berries, but heavily supplements its diet with insects, mushrooms, and animal carrion to build crucial fat reserves.
Age differences: Juveniles focus on consuming tender green vegetation and high-energy seeds, whereas adults consume more diverse items, including larger insects and carrion, to quickly gain fat prior to hibernation.
Primary Foods
- Tundra grasses
- Willow leaves
- Crowberries
- Mushrooms
- Insects
- Animal carrion
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Grizzly Bear
Ursus arctos horribilis
Grizzly bears hunt Arctic ground squirrels by vigorously digging up their burrow systems, especially during late summer.
eaten by
Arctic Fox
Vulpes lagopus
The Arctic fox hunts ground squirrels, relying heavily on them and their pups as a key food source during the summer breeding season.
eaten by
Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
Snowy owls hunt ground squirrels from elevated perches, preying on individuals that forage too far from burrow entrances.
Traits
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Also known as
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Arctic Ground Squirrel?
The easiest way to identify Arctic Ground Squirrel is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Arctic Ground Squirrel?
33-50 cm
How much does Arctic Ground Squirrel weigh?
0.4-1.2 kg
How long does Arctic Ground Squirrel live?
3-6 years
How fast can Arctic Ground Squirrel move?
30 km/h
What does Arctic Ground Squirrel eat?
An opportunistic feeder that primarily consumes tundra plants, seeds, and berries, but heavily supplements its diet with insects, mushrooms, and animal carrion to build crucial fat reserves.
Where is Arctic Ground Squirrel usually found?
Found in open arctic tundra, alpine meadows, and sandy river banks with well-drained soils above the permafrost layer.
How does Arctic Ground Squirrel hunt?
Foraging
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