Yellow ground squirrel
{{Short description|Species of rodent}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Yellow ground squirrel
| image = Spermophilus fulvus Baikonur 02.jpg
| image2 = Желтый суслик на закате у норы.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Spermophilus
| species = fulvus
| authority = (Lichtenstein, 1823)
}}
The yellow ground squirrel (Spermophilus fulvus) is a large and sturdy ground squirrel species native to Afghanistan, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Russia. It inhabits sandy steppes with Artemisia, glasswort and tamarisk.
The yellow ground squirrel has naked soles on the hind feet excluding heels. It lives in large colonies, is strictly diurnal and forages mainly in the morning when the vegetation is still damp. Its diet includes bulbs, seeds, stems and leaves. It hibernates, but it may also aestivate.Aulagnier S.; P. Haffner, A. J. Mitchell-Jones, F. Moutou & J. Zima (2009). Mammals of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, A&C Black, London.
References
{{Commons category|Spermophilus fulvus}}
{{Reflist}}
{{S. Xerinae2 nav}}
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Category:Mammals of Afghanistan
Category:Mammals of the Middle East
Category:Mammals described in 1823
Category:Taxa named by Hinrich Lichtenstein
Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot
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