Family: Sciuridae, Squirrels view all from this family
Description One of the largest North American ground squirrels. Back reddish to grayish brown, with numerous whitish flecks; head and shoulders tawny to reddish. In winter, upperparts are grayer. Underparts and legs are yellowish or tawny. Male slightly larger than female. L 11 3/4-15 1/2" (300-395 mm); T 3-5 3/8" (77-135 mm); HF 2-2 5/8" (50-68 mm); Wt average: male 28 oz (791 g), female 25 oz (698 g).
Similar Species No other ground squirrel occurs in the same range.
Breeding Mates in May; 5-10 young born blind and hairless in late June.
Habitat Subalpine brushy meadows, riverbanks, lakeshores, and sandbanks, but not in permafrost areas.
Range Alaska, Yukon Territory, n British Columbia, and mainland Northwest Territories.
Discussion In the fall, after putting on a layer of fat, the Arctic Ground Squirrel enters hibernation-adults first, then juveniles, which need more time to accumulate fat. Hibernation lasts more than half the year, from September through April or May. Males emerge first, through the snow, and have been seen abroad at temperatures of 22°F (-6°C). Food stored in the burrow, such as seeds, willow leaves, and bog rush fruit, is eaten at this time. Despite the continuous light during most of its active summer season, this highly vocal, colonial ground squirrel keeps to a "daily" routine of activity, from about 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The reduced intensity of light at night may serve as a sleep stimulus. This squirrel wanders far from its home range to forage, crawling through vegetation to feed on stems, leaves, seeds, fruits, and roots of grasses, sedges, and other green plants, as well as woody plants and mushrooms. It may occasionally pause to sunbathe, sandbathe, or swim. On rainy or cloudy days, it keeps to its burrow. Often used for many years, the burrow is an extensive series of tunnels, many just under the surface and most not more than 3 feet (1 m) deep, with several entrances. Shorter temporary burrows are often dug to provide refuge from summer predators. These squirrels mate soon after they emerge from hibernation. The young are weaned at 20 days, and dig their own burrows by late summer. This species is preyed upon by weasels, wolves, Arctic Foxes, and Grizzly Bears--which tear up the ground to find the animals in their burrows--as well as by native peoples, who eat them and use the skins to line parkas.
