Daurian Ground Squirrel

About this species

Habitat

Grassland, steppe and disturbed open country

Range

Mongolia, northern China and adjoining Russia

The Daurian ground squirrel is a small, unstriped squirrel with a slim build, short tail and inconspicuous ears. The upperparts are buff-grey to sandy brown, sometimes finely speckled, while the belly is lighter. Its restrained pattern differs from the bold dorsal stripes of a chipmunk. Several regional ground squirrels look similar, however, and geographic range plus detailed skull or pelage characters may be needed for confident separation. (Wikipedia, Daurian ground squirrel account)

Daurian ground squirrels occur in Mongolia, northern China and adjoining Russia, using open grassland, steppe, field edges and other disturbed country. They are active by day and retreat to burrows, where they also pass the winter. Seeds and green vegetation form important foods, and colonies can develop where soils permit digging. The general account did not identify a particular Mongolian population, local breeding dates or a dependable visitor site, so no more precise national claim is made. (Wikipedia, Daurian ground squirrel account)

Description: Wildlife of Mongolia guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)