Alashan ground squirrel
The Alashan ground squirrel (Spermophilus alashanicus) is a species of squirrel. It is native to China and Mongolia.[1]
| Alashan ground squirrel | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Sciuridae |
| Genus: | Spermophilus |
| Species: | S. alashanicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Spermophilus alashanicus (Büchner, 1888) | |
This squirrel lives at elevations up to 3200 meters. It lives on the steppe and in foothills and alpine meadows. In China it can be found in desert habitat. It is associated with the plant species Amygdalus pedunculata and A. polyrrhizum.[1]
This species is 22 to 23 centimeters long. It is brown or gray with a pale underside. In the summer it develops a chestnut wash along the shoulders. Most babies are born in June, with litter sizes ranging from 1 to 9.[1]
References
- Shar, S., Lkhagvasuren, D. & Smith, A.T. 2008. Spermophilus alashanicus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. Downloaded on 14 April 2015
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