Artic Ground Squirrel
Arctic ground squirrels have a vast range. They can be found in regions of Northern Canada ranging from the Arctic Circle down to the southern border of the Northwest Territories, as well as Alaska and Siberia. The arctic ground squirrel’s primary habitat is Arctic tundra. They prefer well vegetated areas that are preferably not too wet. Wetness in such cold habitats leads to permafrost through which it is impossible for the squirrel to dig. Arctic tundra generally lacks trees and forestry, hence these squirrels live in very open areas which extend into meadows in the southern part of their range.
Artic Ground Squirrel
The arctic ground squirrel has a number of defining features, which make it relatively easy to distinguish from its relatives. The coat is beige and tan and is highlighted by diffused white spots on its dorsal side. This squirrel has a relatively blunt face, small ears, a dark brushy tail and white markings around its eyes. Both sexes attain an average length of approximately 39cm, however, males generally outweigh females by about 100 grams.
Reproduction
Spermophilus parryii live in colonies of 5 to 50 members. These colonies are subdivided into territories controlled by a dominant male. There are typically one or more adult females in a territory. The males mark their territory with scent glands from their cheeks and back, which prevents other males from entering. The males of the territory mate with their females in mid May after arousing from winter hibernation. The gestation period lasts approximately 25 days, and the mother bears a litter of five to ten blind, hairless pups each weighing approximately 10 grams in June. The pups are weaned after about six weeks and grow rapidly to prepare for the winter that follows 5 months after their birth.
Behavior
Arctic ground squirrels live in extremely cold environments. They get through the harsh winters by incorporating hibernation into their life cycles. These rodents hibernate seven months out of the year, retiring to their hibernation chambers in early September and waking in late April. It is not uncommon for females and juveniles to lose between 30 and 40 percent of their body weight during hibernation. Despite the fact that there is continuous daylight during the summer months, these squirrels are diurnal. Because there is continuous light and very little vegetative cover available in their habitat, these rodents move with their bodies pressed close to the ground to make themselves less obvious to predators. This type of movement has been termed “tundra glide.”
Social interactions include both physical and vocal communication. Physical encounters are characterized by either nose to nose contact or pressing together of body parts. This contact is a test of receptivity and can often lead to fights. The second type of interaction, vocal communication, has led humans to give these squirrels the nick name “tsik-tsik.” These “tsik” sounding calls generally alert others in the territory to the presence of nearby predators. There are even different kinds of calls for different kinds of predators. Low gutteral chatters are used to indicate land-borne predators whereas short “band whistle” chatters indicate avian predators.
Food Habits
This rodent is primarily herbivorous, favoring such foods as grasses, sedges, mushrooms, bog rushes, bilberries, willows, roots, stalks, leaves, flowers, and seeds. Arctic ground squirrels have, however, been known to eat just about anything when necessary; including their own kind. These squirrels generally feed around high noon and oftentimes stuff their cheeks full of leaves or seeds to take back to their dens for later consumption. Foraging is interrupted by frequent stops to sit up and check for danger. Generally, the arctic ground squirrel uses its teeth to cut down vegetation, and then holds the food between its paws to eat it so that it may keep its head up to watch for predators. In captivity they should be offered a complete diet of rodent lab blocks, and rat or mouse mix, with bits of fruit or veggies regularly. Cheerios or wheat bread are great treats, in small quantities. Do NOT feed chocolate, fried foods, salted foods, candy or junk food! They may enjoy crickets and mealworms if they are captive bred, never feed wild insects as they may carry parasites. Vitamins, like Nutri-Cal are a good addition to their diet, and added calcium during nursing and growth due to demands on their systems at those times, but take care not to overdo it. Water bottles should be used to proved constant, clean water. Ceramic or stoneware food dishes work well for keeping seeds or fresh foods off the floor, and a wire mesh hopper that allows them to eat the lab blocks through without extra waste.
