The Arctic ground squirrel (Urocitellus parryii) (Inuktitut: ᓯᒃᓯᒃ, siksik)[2] is a species of ground squirrel native to the Arctic and Subarctic of North America and Asia. People in Alaska, particularly around the Aleutians, refer to them as "parka" squirrels, most likely because their pelt is good for the ruff on parkas and for clothing.[3]
U. p. kennicottii Ross, 1861 – Barrow ground squirrel (northern Alaska, northern Yukon, and northern Northwest Territories)
U. p. kodiacensis Ross, 1861
U. p. leucostictus Brandt, 1844
U. p. lyratus Hall and Gilmore, 1932
U. p. nebulicola Osgood, 1903
U. p. osgoodi Merriam, 1900
U. p. parryii Richardson, 1825
U. p. plesius Osgood, 1900
U. p. stejnegeri J. A. Allen, 1903
Description
The Arctic ground squirrel has a beige and tan coat with a white-spotted back. This squirrel has a short face, small ears, a dark tail and white markings around its eyes. Arctic ground squirrels undergo a coat change from summer to winter. Summer coats include red/yellow colorations along the cheeks and sides of the animal. In fall, these red patches are replaced with silvery fur. The average length of an Arctic ground squirrel is approximately 39 cm (15 in). Since Arctic ground squirrels undergo drastic seasonal changes in body mass, it is difficult to give an average mass,[5] but for adult females it is close to 750 g (26 oz), however, males generally are around 100 g (3.5 oz) heavier than females.[6]
The Arctic ground squirrel is native to the North American Arctic tundra, where its main habitats are on mountain slopes, river flats, banks, lakeshores and tundra ridges of the arctic tundra. Ground squirrels live in sandy soil due to easy digging and good drainage.[7] Arctic ground squirrels make shallow burrows in areas where the permafrost does not prevent them from digging.[8] The Arctic ground squirrel inhabits dry Arctic tundra and open meadows in the most southern habitats of this species.[6]
Communication between squirrels is done through both vocal and physical means. When they meet, nose to nose contact is made or other body parts are pressed together. The "tsik-tsik" calls are made in response to threats and vary as between different predators. Deep guttural sounds are used to indicate land-based predators while short "band whistle" chatter indicates danger from the air.[6]
Hibernation
The Arctic ground squirrel hibernates over winter from early August to late April in adult females and from late September to early April for adult males,[12] at which time it can reduce its body temperatures from 37 °C (99 °F) to as little as −3 °C (27 °F).[13] During hibernation, its core body temperature reaches temperatures down to −2.9 °C (26.8 °F)[14] and its heart rate drops to about one beat per minute. Peripheral, colonic, and blood temperatures become subzero. The best theory as to why the squirrel's blood doesn't freeze is that the animal is able to cleanse their bodies of ice nucleators which are necessary for the development of ice crystals. In the absence of ice nucleators, body fluids can remain liquid while in supercooled state. This process is being studied with the hope that mechanism present in arctic ground squirrels may provide a path for better preservation of human organs for transplant.[15] The connections between brain cells also wither away in this state. The damage should have resulted in death, but research on related species show that these connections regrow after waking up. In the warmer months, the squirrel is active during the day.
Diet
This squirrel feeds on grasses, sedges, mushrooms, bog rushes, bilberries, willows, roots, stalks, leaves, leaf buds, flowers, catkins, and seeds. They will also eat insects, and occasionally they will even feed on carrion (such as mice, snowshoe hares and caribou)[16] as well as juvenile Arctic ground squirrels.[17] Sometimes these squirrels carry food back to their den in their cheeks.[6]
Reproduction
During the mating season, males engage in male-male aggressive encounters for mating rights.[18]
Arctic ground squirrels live individually in burrow systems. Mating occurs between mid-April and mid-May (depending on latitude) after winter hibernation. Mating includes male-male competition for access to females, and litters are typically sired by multiple males. Gestation is approximately 25 days, and results in a litter of 5 to 10, 10 g (0.35 oz) hairless pups. After 6 weeks the pups are weaned and this is followed by rapid growth to prepare for the upcoming winter.[6]
Although Environment Yukon has not estimated their population size, their conservation status is currently said to be "secure" (Environment Yukon 2013).[11] The Arctic ground squirrel is classified as least concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (Arkive 2013).[19]
References
^ abCassola, F. (2016). "Urocitellus parryii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T20488A22262403. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T20488A22262403.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
^"Welcome to Tusaalanga | Inuktut Tusaalanga". tusaalanga.ca. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
^Antarctica and the Arctic Circle: A Geographic Encyclopedia of the Earth's Polar Regions
^Nadler C, Hopkins RS (1976). Patterns of evolution and migration in the arctic ground squirrel, Spermophilus parryii (Richardson). [Internet]. Chicago (ZL) U.S.A.: Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, and the University of Kansas, Lawrence (KS) U.S.A.: Museum of Natural History and Department of Systematics and Ecology; [updated 1976 Oct 20; cited 2013 Nov 10]. Available from: http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z77-097.
^"BBC Nature - Arctic ground squirrel videos, news and facts". BBC Earth. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
^Liu Y, Hu W, Wang H, Lu M, Shao C, Menzel C, Yan Z, Ying L, Zhao S, Khaitovich P, Liu M, Chen W, Barnes BM, and Yan J: Genomic analysis of miRNAs in an extreme mammalian hibernator, the Arctic Ground Squirrel. Physiological Genomics April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine 42A:39-51. (2010)
^Asher, Claire. "When your veins fill with ice". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
^Torsten Bernhardt. . Canadian Biodiversity. Redpath Museum; McGill University. Archived from the original on 14 June 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
^McLean, Ian G (1983). "Paternal behaviour and killing of young in Arctic ground squirrels". Animal Behaviour. 31 (1): 32–44. doi:10.1016/S0003-3472(83)80171-7. S2CID 53147479.
^Buck, C.L.; Barnes, B.M. (2003). "Androgen in free-living arctic ground squirrels: seasonal changes and influence of staged male-male aggressive encounters". Hormones and Behavior. 43 (2): 318–326. doi:10.1016/s0018-506x(02)00050-8. PMID 12694642. S2CID 37114468.
Hall, E. Raymond (1981). The Mammals of North America. 2 volumes. Ronald Press.
Helgen, K. M.; Cole, F. R.; Helgen, L. E.; Wilson, D. E. (2009). "Generic revision in the Holarctic ground squirrel genus Spermophilus". Journal of Mammalogy. 90 (2): 270–305. doi:10.1644/07-mamm-a-309.1.
Thorington, R. W. Jr. and R. S. Hoffman (2005). Family Sciuridae. pp. 754–818 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D.E. Wilson and D.M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
External links
Media related to Arctic ground squirrel at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Arctic ground squirrel at Wikispecies
arctic, ground, squirrel, urocitellus, parryii, inuktitut, ᓯᒃᓯᒃ, siksik, species, ground, squirrel, native, arctic, subarctic, north, america, asia, people, alaska, particularly, around, aleutians, refer, them, parka, squirrels, most, likely, because, their, p. The Arctic ground squirrel Urocitellus parryii Inuktitut ᓯᒃᓯᒃ siksik 2 is a species of ground squirrel native to the Arctic and Subarctic of North America and Asia People in Alaska particularly around the Aleutians refer to them as parka squirrels most likely because their pelt is good for the ruff on parkas and for clothing 3 Arctic ground squirrelConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder RodentiaFamily SciuridaeGenus UrocitellusSpecies U parryiiBinomial nameUrocitellus parryiiRichardson 1825Subspecies10 ssp see textSynonymsSpermophilus parryii Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Description 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Behaviour 4 1 Hibernation 4 2 Diet 4 3 Reproduction 5 Conservation 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External linksTaxonomy EditSubspecies listed alphabetically 4 U p ablusus Osgood 1903 U p kennicottii Ross 1861 Barrow ground squirrel northern Alaska northern Yukon and northern Northwest Territories U p kodiacensis Ross 1861 U p leucostictus Brandt 1844 U p lyratus Hall and Gilmore 1932 U p nebulicola Osgood 1903 U p osgoodi Merriam 1900 U p parryii Richardson 1825 U p plesius Osgood 1900 U p stejnegeri J A Allen 1903Description EditThe Arctic ground squirrel has a beige and tan coat with a white spotted back This squirrel has a short face small ears a dark tail and white markings around its eyes Arctic ground squirrels undergo a coat change from summer to winter Summer coats include red yellow colorations along the cheeks and sides of the animal In fall these red patches are replaced with silvery fur The average length of an Arctic ground squirrel is approximately 39 cm 15 in Since Arctic ground squirrels undergo drastic seasonal changes in body mass it is difficult to give an average mass 5 but for adult females it is close to 750 g 26 oz however males generally are around 100 g 3 5 oz heavier than females 6 Distribution and habitat EditThe Arctic ground squirrel can be found in regions of Northern Canada ranging from the Arctic Circle to northern British Columbia and down to the southern border of the Northwest Territories as well as Alaska and Siberia 1 The Arctic ground squirrel is native to the North American Arctic tundra where its main habitats are on mountain slopes river flats banks lakeshores and tundra ridges of the arctic tundra Ground squirrels live in sandy soil due to easy digging and good drainage 7 Arctic ground squirrels make shallow burrows in areas where the permafrost does not prevent them from digging 8 The Arctic ground squirrel inhabits dry Arctic tundra and open meadows in the most southern habitats of this species 6 On tundra Kugluktuk NunavutBehaviour Edit 20 000 year old Arctic ground squirrel mummy The diurnal Arctic ground squirrel lives on the tundra and is prey to the Arctic fox the red fox the wolverine Canada lynx Eurasian lynx the brown bear and eagles It is one of the few Arctic animals along with their close relatives the marmots 9 and the un related little brown bat that hibernate 10 In the summer it forages for tundra plants seeds and fruit to increase body fat for its winter hibernation By late summer the male Arctic ground squirrel begins to store food in its burrow so that in the spring 11 it will have edible food until the new vegetation has grown The burrows are lined with lichens leaves and muskox hair Communication between squirrels is done through both vocal and physical means When they meet nose to nose contact is made or other body parts are pressed together The tsik tsik calls are made in response to threats and vary as between different predators Deep guttural sounds are used to indicate land based predators while short band whistle chatter indicates danger from the air 6 Hibernation Edit The Arctic ground squirrel hibernates over winter from early August to late April in adult females and from late September to early April for adult males 12 at which time it can reduce its body temperatures from 37 C 99 F to as little as 3 C 27 F 13 During hibernation its core body temperature reaches temperatures down to 2 9 C 26 8 F 14 and its heart rate drops to about one beat per minute Peripheral colonic and blood temperatures become subzero The best theory as to why the squirrel s blood doesn t freeze is that the animal is able to cleanse their bodies of ice nucleators which are necessary for the development of ice crystals In the absence of ice nucleators body fluids can remain liquid while in supercooled state This process is being studied with the hope that mechanism present in arctic ground squirrels may provide a path for better preservation of human organs for transplant 15 The connections between brain cells also wither away in this state The damage should have resulted in death but research on related species show that these connections regrow after waking up In the warmer months the squirrel is active during the day Diet Edit This squirrel feeds on grasses sedges mushrooms bog rushes bilberries willows roots stalks leaves leaf buds flowers catkins and seeds They will also eat insects and occasionally they will even feed on carrion such as mice snowshoe hares and caribou 16 as well as juvenile Arctic ground squirrels 17 Sometimes these squirrels carry food back to their den in their cheeks 6 Reproduction Edit During the mating season males engage in male male aggressive encounters for mating rights 18 Arctic ground squirrels live individually in burrow systems Mating occurs between mid April and mid May depending on latitude after winter hibernation Mating includes male male competition for access to females and litters are typically sired by multiple males Gestation is approximately 25 days and results in a litter of 5 to 10 10 g 0 35 oz hairless pups After 6 weeks the pups are weaned and this is followed by rapid growth to prepare for the upcoming winter 6 Conservation Edit Arctic ground squirrel in Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Although Environment Yukon has not estimated their population size their conservation status is currently said to be secure Environment Yukon 2013 11 The Arctic ground squirrel is classified as least concern LC on the IUCN Red List Arkive 2013 19 References Edit a b Cassola F 2016 Urocitellus parryii IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T20488A22262403 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 3 RLTS T20488A22262403 en Retrieved 12 November 2021 Welcome to Tusaalanga Inuktut Tusaalanga tusaalanga ca Retrieved 2019 02 22 Antarctica and the Arctic Circle A Geographic Encyclopedia of the Earth s Polar Regions Urocitellus parryii MSW3 Buck C L Barnes B M 1999 Annual cycle of body composition and hibernation in free living arctic ground squirrels Journal of Mammalogy 80 2 430 442 doi 10 2307 1383291 JSTOR 1383291 a b c d e Animal Diversity Web Nadler C Hopkins RS 1976 Patterns of evolution and migration in the arctic ground squirrel Spermophilus parryii Richardson Internet Chicago ZL U S A Department of Medicine Northwestern University Medical School and the University of Kansas Lawrence KS U S A Museum of Natural History and Department of Systematics and Ecology updated 1976 Oct 20 cited 2013 Nov 10 Available from http www nrcresearchpress com doi pdf 10 1139 z77 097 BBC Nature Arctic ground squirrel videos news and facts BBC Earth Retrieved 6 November 2013 Alaska Marmot Archived June 6 2010 at the Wayback Machine The Long Sleep Which Animals Hibernate a b Arctic Ground Squirrel Environment Yukon 3 March 2015 Archived from the original on 29 December 2010 Retrieved 17 May 2015 Buck C L Breton A Kohl F Toien O Barnes B M 2008 Overwinter body temperature patterns in free living Arctic Ground Squirrels Spermophilus parryii Hypometabolism in Animals Hibernation Torpor and Cryobiology 317 326 Barnes Brian M 1989 06 30 Freeze Avoidance in a Mammal Body Temperatures Below 0 C in an Arctic Hibernator PDF Science American Association for the Advancement of Science 244 4912 1593 1595 doi 10 1126 science 2740905 PMID 2740905 Archived from the original PDF on 2008 12 16 Retrieved 2009 08 12 Liu Y Hu W Wang H Lu M Shao C Menzel C Yan Z Ying L Zhao S Khaitovich P Liu M Chen W Barnes BM and Yan J Genomic analysis of miRNAs in an extreme mammalian hibernator the Arctic Ground Squirrel Physiological Genomics Archived April 2 2015 at the Wayback Machine 42A 39 51 2010 Asher Claire When your veins fill with ice www bbc com Retrieved 2019 05 02 Torsten Bernhardt Canadian Biodiversity Species Mammals Arctic Ground Squirrel Canadian Biodiversity Redpath Museum McGill University Archived from the original on 14 June 2013 Retrieved 6 November 2013 McLean Ian G 1983 Paternal behaviour and killing of young in Arctic ground squirrels Animal Behaviour 31 1 32 44 doi 10 1016 S0003 3472 83 80171 7 S2CID 53147479 Buck C L Barnes B M 2003 Androgen in free living arctic ground squirrels seasonal changes and influence of staged male male aggressive encounters Hormones and Behavior 43 2 318 326 doi 10 1016 s0018 506x 02 00050 8 PMID 12694642 S2CID 37114468 Arkive 2013 Arctic Ground Squirrel Internet Cited November 7th 2013 Available from http www arkive org arctic ground squirrel spermophilus parryii image G78548 html Archived 2013 11 12 at the Wayback MachineFurther reading EditHall E Raymond 1981 The Mammals of North America 2 volumes Ronald Press Helgen K M Cole F R Helgen L E Wilson D E 2009 Generic revision in the Holarctic ground squirrel genus Spermophilus Journal of Mammalogy 90 2 270 305 doi 10 1644 07 mamm a 309 1 Thorington R W Jr and R S Hoffman 2005 Family Sciuridae pp 754 818 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference D E Wilson and D M Reeder eds Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore External links Edit Media related to Arctic ground squirrel at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Arctic ground squirrel at Wikispecies Portals Alaska Mammals Canada Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Arctic ground squirrel amp oldid 1130001572, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
