|
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.
|
