Squirrel family - Sciuridae- a large family of rodents, which unites tree, ground squirrels, chipmunks, ground squirrels, marmots and real flying squirrels. African scale-tailed flying squirrels belonging to the Anomaluridae family are not squirrels.

Squirrels vary in size from small to medium. The body length from the mouse squirrel is 6 cm, the marmot is 60 - 70 cm, the weight is up to 9 kg. Arboreal forms are distinguished by a slender constitution, a long fluffy tail and relatively long limbs (especially the hind legs). Squirrels leading a semi-underground (burrowing) lifestyle are characterized by a stocky body with relatively short limbs and a tail. Outwardly, representatives of the family have similarities with squirrels or ground squirrels. Their eyes are quite large. The limbs are well developed; the hind ones are no more than 2 times longer than the anterior ones. The hind legs are five-toed, the front four- or five-toed, with long claws. The fourth toe on the front and hind legs is the longest. The length of the tail is short or long, longer than the body. The tail is always densely covered with hair, soft or hard, bristly, sometimes long with a brush at the end. The hair is dense and soft, relatively high or very thin, bristle-like. Its color is one-color or with stripes and spots, varies from black and white to red or dark dirty yellow. Nipples from 2 pairs in some tropical and tree squirrels to 6 pairs in some Neoarctic ground squirrels.

Squirrels have been known since the Middle Paleogene. Currently, representatives of the Squirrel family are found on all continents, with the exception of Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Madagascar, southern South America (Patagonia, Chile, most of Argentina), polar regions, Greenland, other Arctic islands and some deserts of the Arabian Peninsula and Egypt. Squirrels inhabit a wide variety of landscapes: forests, open plains, deserts, tundra, mountains, from the tropics to the Arctic. They lead a terrestrial and arboreal lifestyle. They are active mainly during the day. They feed mainly on various plant objects, sometimes insects and small vertebrates. Some species hibernate. The duration of pregnancy is 22-45 days. Females give birth to 1 to 15 naked and blind cubs. Long-distance migrations were recorded for some species. They lead a solitary, sometimes colonial lifestyle. A number of species (squirrel, marmot) are of commercial importance. The family includes agricultural pests (a number of ground squirrels) and keepers of dangerous human diseases (some marmots, ground squirrels).

The composition and main suprageneric groups are debatable: the rank and subordination of the main groups are interpreted very differently. In the broadest interpretation, it includes 4 subfamilies (all modern), about 40 modern and the same number of fossil genera. In terms of the number of species (not yet precisely established), squirrels are second only to the mouse family. The family has 39 genera (228 species). The fauna of Russia contains more than 15 species from 5 genera.

Squirrel (Sciurus) is a mammal from the order of rodents, the squirrel family. This article describes this family.

Squirrel: description and photo

The common squirrel has a long body, bushy tail, and long ears. Squirrel ears are large and elongated, sometimes with tassels at the end. The feet are strong, with strong and sharp nails. Thanks to their strong paws, rodents climb trees so easily.

An adult squirrel has a large tail, which makes up 2/3 of the whole body and serves as its "rudder" in flights. She catches air currents and balances them. Squirrels also hide with their tail when they sleep. When choosing a partner, one of the main criteria is the tail. These animals are very attentive to this part of their body, it is the tail of a squirrel that is an indicator of its health.

The size of an average squirrel is 20-31 cm. Giant squirrels are about 50 cm in size, while the length of the tail is equal to the length of the body. The smallest squirrel, the mouse, has a body length of only 6-7.5 cm.

The squirrel coat is different in winter and summer, since this animal sheds twice a year. In winter, the fur is fluffy and dense, and in summer it is shorter and more sparse. The color of the squirrel is not the same, it is dark brown, almost black, red and gray with a white belly. In summer, squirrels are mostly red, and in winter, the fur coat becomes bluish-gray.

Red squirrels have brown or olive red fur. In summer, a black longitudinal stripe appears on the sides, separating the abdomen and back. On the tummy and around the eyes, the fur is light.

Flying squirrels have a skin membrane on the sides of their bodies, between the wrists and ankles, which allows them to glide.

Dwarf squirrels have gray or brown fur on the back and light on the belly.

Types of proteins, names and photos

The squirrel family includes 48 genera, which consist of 280 species. Below are some members of the family:

• Common flying squirrel;
• White squirrel;
• Mouse squirrel;
• The common squirrel or veksha is the only representative of the squirrel genus on the territory of Russia.

The smallest is a mouse squirrel. Its length is only 6-7.5 cm, while the length of the tail reaches 5 cm.

Where does the squirrel live?

The squirrel is an animal that lives on all continents except Australia, Madagascar, the polar territories, southern South America and northwest Africa. Squirrels live in Europe from Ireland to Scandinavia, in most of the CIS countries, in Asia Minor, partly in Syria and Iran, in Northern China. Also, these animals inhabit North and South America, the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.
The squirrel lives in various forests, from northern to tropical. He spends most of his life in trees, excellently climbing and jumping from branch to branch. Squirrel tracks can also be found near bodies of water. Also, these rodents live next to humans near arable lands and in parks.

What do proteins eat?

Basically, the squirrel eats nuts, acorns, seeds of conifers: larch, fir. The animal's diet includes mushrooms and various grains. In addition to plant food, it can feed on various beetles, bird chicks. With poor harvests and early spring, the squirrel eats buds on trees, lichens, berries, bark of young shoots, rhizomes and herbaceous plants.

Squirrel in winter. How does a squirrel prepare for winter?

When the squirrel prepares for winter, it makes many hiding places for its supplies. She collects acorns, nuts and mushrooms, can hide food in hollows, holes or dig holes on her own. Many of the winter protein stores are plundered by other animals. And some of the squirrels' caches are simply forgotten. The animal helps to restore the forest after a fire and increases the number of new trees. It is because of the forgetfulness of the proteins that the hidden nuts and seeds germinate and form new plantings. In winter, the squirrel does not sleep, having prepared a supply of food in the fall. During frosts, she sits in her hollow, half asleep. If the frost is light, the squirrel is active: it can plunder hiding places, chipmunks and nutcrackers, finding prey even under a one and a half meter layer of snow.

Squirrel in spring

Early spring is the most unfavorable time for squirrels, as during this period the animals have practically nothing to eat. The stored seeds are beginning to germinate, and the new ones have not yet appeared. Therefore, the proteins can only feed on the buds in the trees and gnaw the bones of animals that died during the winter. Squirrels living next to humans often visit bird feeders in the hope of finding seeds and grains there. In the spring, squirrels begin to molt, this happens in mid-late March, molting ends at the end of May. Also, in the spring, mating games begin in squirrels.

Bemlichi (Latin Sciuridae) are a family of mammals of the order of rodents.

Squirrels include animals that are diverse in appearance and lifestyle, united by the unity of origin and the similarity of the anatomical structure. The sizes are small and medium. Body length from 6 (mouse squirrel) to 60 cm (marmots). In appearance, squirrels can be divided into 3 types: arboreal squirrels, ground squirrels and flying squirrels, and it is believed that common ancestors were closest to arboreal squirrels.

In arboreal squirrels, which include squirrels proper, long fluffy tails, sharp claws and large ears, sometimes with tassels (Fig. 21).

Rice. 21.

Flying squirrels have a skin membrane on the sides of their bodies, between the wrists and ankles, which allows them to glide.

Rice. 22.

Ground squirrels are distinguished by a more dense constitution and short, strong forelimbs (which include, for example, ground squirrels) (Fig. 23).

Rice. 23.

In all squirrels, the hind limbs are longer than the front ones, but no more than 2 times. Hind legs 5-, front 4- or 5-finger. The fourth toe on the front and hind legs is the longest. The hair is thick and soft. The color is monochromatic or with stripes and spots, ranging from black and white to red or dark yellow. Nipples from 2 to 6 pairs. There are only 20-22 teeth. The molars are with roots, on each side of the upper jaw there are 5 of them (in one species - 4), the lower - 4 each. The chewing surface of the molars is lumpy or lumpy-comb. The anterior superior premolar tooth is always smaller than the others; in squirrels it is in the form of a thin column, and in Persian squirrels it is absent altogether.

Squirrels are very widespread. They are absent in the Australian region, Madagascar, in the polar regions, in northwestern Africa (Sahara) and in the south of South America (Patagonia, Chile, most of Argentina).

They inhabit a wide variety of landscapes: from tropical rain forests to arctic tundra. In the mountains, they are found up to the lower edge of glaciers. They lead a terrestrial or arboreal lifestyle. They are active mainly during the day; flying squirrels - mostly at night. They feed on a variety of plant foods (seeds, nuts, mushrooms), less often insects and small vertebrates. Terrestrial species feed mainly on greenery. Species in temperate areas of the range make reserves for the winter or hibernate. The lifestyle is solitary, sometimes colonial. Arboreal squirrels tend to build gaina, while terrestrial squirrels live in burrows. Long-distance migrations were recorded for some species. The duration of pregnancy is 22-45 days. Females give birth to 1 to 15 naked and blind cubs.

A number of species are of commercial importance and are harvested for fur or meat. The family includes agricultural pests (a number of ground squirrels) and carriers of dangerous human diseases (some marmots, ground squirrels).

Somnye, or somni (lat. Gliridae, or lat. Myoxidae) - a family of mammals of the order of rodents (Fig. 24).

Sonya are small and medium-sized rodents that look like mice (terrestrial forms) or squirrels (woody forms). Body length from 8 to 20 cm.The tail is usually slightly shorter than the body - 4-17 cm; in most dormouse it is densely pubescent, in selevinia and mouse dormice it is half-naked. The eyes and ears are well developed, the latter are rounded, without tassels at the ends. The limbs are relatively short. On the forelimbs there are 4 fingers, on the hind ones - 5. The first toe of the hind limb is sometimes devoid of a claw, on the other toes the claws are well developed: they are short, but very sharp. With the exception of selevinia and murine dormice, plantar calluses are developed in all other species. The hair is thick and soft, but low. The coloration of the back is monochromatic, from gray to ocher-brown. Nipples from 4 to 6 pairs. Teeth 16 or 20.

Rice. 24.

Most dormouse lives within the Palaearctic region, from North Africa, Europe and Asia Minor to Altai, northwestern China and Japan. In Europe, it is found up to South Scandinavia. Species of the genus Graphiurus are found in isolation in sub-Saharan Africa.

Most dormouse are nocturnal forest animals (with the exception of some inhabitants of tropical rainforests). They prefer deciduous and mixed forests. They are also found in the forest-steppe; in the mountains they settle at an altitude of 3500 m above sea level. Most species are typically arboreal climbing rodents. Some dormouse (dormouse) almost never descend to the ground, others (mouse-like dormouse) lead mainly a terrestrial lifestyle.

Sonya's shelters are located in hollows, in nests among branches, in holes, under tree roots or under fallen trunks.

Sleepyheads feed on nuts, fruits and seeds, but also eat insects, eggs and small birds and sometimes other rodents. Selevinia feeds mainly on invertebrates.

In the temperate zone, sleepyheads eat off by autumn and hibernate during the cold season, which lasts about 6 months. Because of this habit, the animals got their name. During the year, dormouse, as a rule, has 1 (less often 2) litter, in which there are from 2 to 9 cubs. Pregnancy lasts 21-28 days. Life expectancy in natural conditions from 2 to 5.5 years.

Sonya's tail can sometimes literally save the life of its owner. If, when catching a dormouse, a person or a predator accidentally grabs it by the tail, then the skin on it will break and peel off like a stocking, and the animal itself will be able to escape. Later, on the exposed tip of the tail, all tissues and blood vessels shrink and the dead part falls off. But over time, the end of the shortened tail expands slightly and becomes overgrown with wool.

In some places, sleepyheads can harm garden crops. Large dormouse skins are harvested as secondary furs.

Rodents belonging to this family are of medium and large sizes (large ones have a body length of 70 cm, and a weight of 9 kg). The hind legs of squirrels are no more than 2 times longer than the front legs. Their tail is of different lengths and is always covered with hair. Skull with a wide interorbital space. There are only 22 or 20 teeth. The molars (together with the pre-root) are 5 on each side of the upper jaw (in one species, 4), the lower - in all, 4. The anterior upper premolar is always smaller than the others; in squirrels it is in the form of a thin column, and in Persian squirrels it is completely absent. The chewing surface of the molars is lumpy or lumpy-comb. Fossil remains of squirrel are known from the Oligocene of the northern hemisphere in the Old and New Worlds.

The modern distribution of squirrels covers all continents, except Australia and Antarctica. They do not exist in Greenland, on other Arctic islands, in New Zealand, New Guinea and Madagascar. In the mountains, squirrels are found up to the lower edge of the glaciers.

Many squirrels are of significant practical importance: some - as valuable commercial species, others - as pests in agriculture or keepers of infections dangerous to humans.

This family includes marmots, ground squirrels, chipmunks, squirrels (about 30 genera in total). In terms of the number of species (not yet precisely established), squirrels are second only to the mouse family. The fauna of the USSR contains more than 15 species from 5 genera.

Marmots

Marmots(genus Marmota) is a relatively homogeneous and well-separated group from other squirrels. Their sizes are large: the body length of adults is from 40 to 70 barely, the weight is from 2.5 to 9 kg. The tail is about half the length of the body or less than half. It is densely covered with long coarse hair without any traces of "combing" on both sides of the bottom (unlike other squirrels). The head is somewhat flattened. The neck is short. The eyes are large, set high. The auricles are small, slightly protruding from the fur. The hair is relatively thick, higher on the back and sides and lower on the belly. The guard hair is thick, straight and long (25-55 mm), and the underfur is about half as long, thin and wavy. Guard hair is almost 10 times smaller than down hair. The color is usually monochromatic, only in some mountain species it is bright, without stripes or spots.

Marmots are common in the steppe and mountain landscapes of a number of regions of Eurasia

and North America.

There is no single view of the taxonomy of the genus. Below is one of the likely options, based on the recognition of the broad polytypicity of the species.

Common marmot(Marmota bobak) forms several geographical forms (subspecies) with special Russian names: bobak, or steppe marmot; Altai, Tien Shan, or gray, marmot; Mongolian, Siberian marmot, or tarbagan; black-capped, or Kamchatka, marmot; American, or gray-haired, marmot, etc. At first, these forms were considered different species, then they were combined into one species, and in last years black-capped marmots and gray-haired marmots were separated as special species.

This group of forms is distributed from the Left-bank Ukraine and the Voronezh region to the mouth of the Lena, Kamchatka and the Koryak Upland; from Alaska to Western Canada and Montana in the United States; in the mountains of Central Asia - to the lower edge of glaciers (3700 m).

The biology of marmots has been well studied, especially by Soviet zoologists, and is fully described in the book by DI Bibikov "Mountain marmots of Central Asia and Kazakhstan" (M., "Science", 1967).

For the Eurasian part of the range

It can be seen how diverse the habitat conditions of the common and black-capped marmots are: from the moderately warm lowland steppes of Ukraine and the Volga region to the belt of alpine steppes of the Tien Shan and low-mountain arctic tundras on the right bank of the lower Lena and Kolyma.

Marmots spend about 9/10 of their entire life in burrows. Burrows are of different purposes and complexity. The protective burrows are small, short, with one entrance, without a nest chamber and nest. Summer (brood) burrows are represented by a complex system of passages with a nesting chamber and are usually connected to the surface by several (up to 6-15) exits (holes). Winter burrows can be simple in structure, but nesting chambers in them are usually located in non-freezing soil horizons at a depth of 5-7 m from the surface. There are also permanent (summer-winter) burrows, complexly arranged.

The total length of the passages of the permanent burrow is up to 57-63 m, the volume of nesting chambers is up to 0.5-0.8 m3. There are also special burrows in the hole - latrines. Any other sections of the burrow and chambers are never contaminated. When constructing a complex burrow, up to ten cubic meters of soil is thrown onto the surface, from which a hill called marmot is formed. The height of marmots is up to 1 m and more, and the diameter is from 8-9 to 15-18 m. In places densely populated by marmots, marmots cover up to 10% of the earth's surface. They give the landscape a specific look. From spring to autumn, marmots stand out from the surrounding steppe as dark green grass plantations.

Marmots feed on herbaceous plants, the set of which exceeds a hundred species. The forage specialization of marmots is not in the choice of plant species, but in the preference of plant parts in different seasons. In early spring, marmots eat mainly rhizomes and bulbs, in summer - young sprouts of cereals and herbs, as well as flowers containing easily digestible substances, especially proteins. Ripe fruits of plants in the stomachs of marmots are not digested, so the marmot does not destroy the seeds, but sows them. Moreover, a portion of the sown seeds turns out to be in a portion of organic fertilizer, covered with a thin layer of earth. The marmot eats up to 1-1.5 kg of plant mass per day. Marmots usually do not drink water. Marmots also add to the vegetable food eaten animals - locusts, molluscs, caterpillars, ant pupae; they are usually eaten with grass, but sometimes the mass of animal feed is up to half of the contents of the stomach. In captivity, marmots willingly eat meat, including the meat and fat of marmots, but in nature they do not eat their relatives and other vertebrates. During the spring and summer, on highly nutritious food, the marmot accumulates up to 800-1200 g of fat, which is up to 20-25% of the animal's mass.

At the end of August - September, marmots settle only in permanent and wintering burrows in families and groups from 2-5 to 20-24 individuals in one burrow. They close the entrances to the occupied hole with corks made of a mixture of earth and stones and fall into deep hibernation, which lasts 6-8 months. During this period, they do not feed, since they do not collect food reserves in burrows. Energy expenditures during hibernation decrease tenfold, and in the spring they wake up even well-fed, with a reserve of about 100-200 g of fat. They wake up early (at the end of February-March), when there is still snow everywhere.

The mating season usually takes place in April - May, but in the arid steppes of Kazakhstan, mating and pregnancy occur at the end of the hibernation period, and some females even give birth to cubs before the first emergence of the animals to the surface (I.G. Shubin, 1962). The gestation period is about 30-35 days. Embryos from 1-2 to 10-11 (average 4-6). Newborn marmots are naked and blind. The body length of a newborn is 9-11 cm, weight is about 30-40 g, which is only about 1% of the mother's weight. The eyes open only on the 23rd day and later. Milk feeding lasts about 50 days, although at the age of 40 days, marmots begin to come to the surface and feed on grass.

Previously, it was believed that a pair of parents and their two broods live in a permanent or wintering hole - the current and last year of birth. However, detailed observations of the tagged animals showed that some of the one-year-olds leave their family, but do not settle separately, but in another family in the position of fosterlings and lie in a second hibernation with them, and their parents, in turn, accept cubs from other families.

In general, the nature of marmots is peaceful. Their games and fuss are common, especially in spring. Surchata constantly play with each other and with their mother. Fights among relatives and neighbors are rare, but they drive out distant aliens or marmots introduced by humans.

In addition to families, marmots form larger associations - colonies with communal use of the site and peaceful relations between neighbors.

The cry of marmots, very loud and sharp (audible for more than 0.5 km), is always two-syllable in this species. A. N. Formozov (1929) conveyed it as a loud, slightly hoarse "qui-quit" in adults and "fit-filt" in young people. Groundhog hearing is less developed than vision. Therefore, only the first information to others is expressed in the signal by a cry, meaning something like “attention!”. The main signals are perceived visually. A human marmot sees 300-400 meters. The sight of a marmot running to the burrow and waving its tail evokes an immediate reaction from all family members and neighbors, even if there was no cry.

Marmots caught in the first days of their emergence to the surface easily get used to humans and become completely tame.

Because of their valuable meat, fat and fur, marmots have long been an object of hunting. From each harvested marmot get 2-3 kg of meat. Marmot fat is used in technology and folk medicine. Marmot fur has always been in great demand in the world market.

Black capped marmot(M. camschatica) again began to be distinguished as a special species with three subspecies: North Baikal, Leno-Kolyma and Kamchatka... The North Baikal subspecies is biologically similar to the Transbaikal-Mongolian common marmot - tarbagan(M. b. Sibiris), and the Lena-Kolyma subspecies acquired a number of adaptations to life in the very harsh conditions of Northern Yakutia. According to the observations of V.N.Kapitonov (1955-1957), on the right bank of the lower reaches of the Lena, in the Kharaulakh mountains, marmots live in disunited family settlements. Each settlement usually has one wintering burrow, up to 4-5 summer burrows and about 10 (up to 17) temporary (fatty) burrows. The settlements are located on the dry southern and southwestern slopes of mountains and hills with little snow at an altitude of 1200 m above sea level. The passages and chambers of the wintering burrow are laid at a shallow depth (from 22 to 70 cm) in the frozen soil layer, the temperature of which in February - March drops to -14, -16 ° С, and by the end of summer it warms up only to +1, 5, + 2 ° C. A large length of passages (up to 113 m) and a large number of exits from the burrow (up to 18) promote better penetration of heat into the burrow in summer and thus accelerate the thawing and drying of the soil. Near the passages, the ground thaws 30-50 cm deeper than in adjacent areas, from which marmots rake up the soil and drag stones over the passage and the chamber, thereby increasing the thickness of the hut ceilings by 11-32 cm. This hill thaws earlier in spring. The walls of the nesting chamber of marmots are coated, like plaster, with a mixture of earth and grass dust, and in cold weather they make plugs from dry grass in the passages associated with the nesting chamber. In the wintering chamber, the mass of the nesting lining reaches 9-12.5 kg.

Lena-Kolyma marmots go into hibernation from the second half of September - early October, when the snow cover has already established and the outside air temperature drops to -10, -20 ° C. All marmots of one settlement (up to 25-30 individuals) lie in one chamber. In addition to external earthen plugs, they make several grass plugs near the nesting chamber. Marmots lie close to each other in one row, and if there are many of them, then in two tiers. Awakening occurs in May, although the snow only melts in mid-June.

Mating takes place in burrows in the second half of April, 3-4 weeks before reaching the surface. In one brood, there are on average 5-6 (from 3 to 11) marmots. About 75% of sexually mature females take part in reproduction. According to these indicators, the fecundity of the Lena-Kolyma marmots is higher than that of the forms widespread to the south.

Hoary marmot(M. caligata) is lighter than black-capped. On his head from the black cap was only a black edge brace. It inhabits southern Alaska, the loaches of the Yukon Highlands and the Mackenzie Ridge in western Canada; south it goes to the states of Washington and Montana. Lives in green areas among rocky outcrops and talus. In one litter, there are up to 5 cubs.

Alpine marmot(M. marmota) of medium size: body length about 55 cm, tail 14-15 cm, weight 3-4 kg. The fur is high, rough. There is a black cap on his head. There is no first toe on the forelimbs. Distributed in the Alps and Western Carpathians at an altitude of 900-1000 to 3200 le. The chambers of winter burrows are located at a depth of up to 2 m and are abundantly lined with hay, the weight of which reaches 10-15 kg. The gestation period is 34 days. The eyes of the marmots open on the 23rd day. By the 40th day, the entire brood begins to emerge from the burrow to the surface and there are clovers.

Marmot Menzbier(M. menzbieri) - the smallest: its body length is 40-45 cm, tail - 7-9 cm, weight - 2-3 kg. Hair is coarse, long (about 33mm on the back). The dark color of the entire top and sides of the body is sharply delimited from the light cheeks, sides of the neck, the entire lower side and limbs. The tail is almost monochrome, blackish. The range of Menzbier's marmot is the smallest of all Eurasian species. He lives on the ridges of the Western Tien Shan on an area of ​​about 2000 km2, in the belt of alpine steppes and the upper sub-alpine, at an altitude of 2500-3000 m, at the outlets of groundwater and at the snowfields. The nesting chambers of wintering burrows are located at a depth of 2.5-3 m. The duration of hibernation is about 7 months (from September to April). Less than half (sometimes only about 13%) of females take part in reproduction. There are usually 3-4 cubs in one litter.

Red marmot(M. caudata) of medium size: body length up to 57 cm; the length of the tail with terminal hair is about half the length of the body (head and trunk); therefore it is often called (according to the Latin name) long-tailed. The hair is high (up to 30-45 mm) and coarse. Hair color is bright, yellowish-red, almost the same on the entire surface. Only the terminal third of the tail is black, brown or brown.

This marmot inhabits the ridges of the Western and Central Tien Shan (from the southern slopes of the Kyrgyz ridge, Talas and Fergana ranges), in the Pamir-Alai, Gissar-Darvaz, Western Kunlun, Hindu Kush, Afghan Badakhsha-ne, in the South-Corum and -east of North Kashmir. It settles at an altitude of 1200-1300 m on the ridges of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and up to 4700 m above sea level in the Eastern Pamirs. In the Tien Shan, it is found in spruce and juniper forests, and in the Pamirs - in the belt of high-mountain deserts, on small, briefly green lawns, surrounded by bare rocks and stone taluses, completely devoid of vegetation, heated only on sunny summer days, but in summer nights and the rest of the year are constantly cold.

The red marmot locates nesting chambers in winter burrows at a depth of 3.3 m. The duration of hibernation is about 7-7.5 months. The female gives birth to 4-6 cubs on average. Among red marmots there are plague epizootics.

Himalayan marmot(M. himalayana) very large (adult body length up to 65-70 cm), short-tailed, rough-haired, monotonously grayish-fawn with blackish ripples on the back and bright red ears. It inhabits the highlands of Central Asia, from the Western Himalayas (Nepal) and Kunlun to Eastern Nanypan and the mountains of Xinan province in the east. The way of life has not yet been studied.

Woodchuck(M. tops) medium-sized: body length 32-40 cm; the tail is relatively long, 10-15 cm. The fur is rough-haired, reddish or reddish-brown almost over the entire surface, with a touch of gray from the light tips of the guard hairs. The head and cheeks are dark, there is a white spot near the nose. The bottom is lighter. Feet are black or nearly black. Young ones are colored less brightly. Weight up to 4, 5-6, 3 kg.

The woodchuck is distributed from Eastern Alaska, Yukon, and British Columbia across southern Canada to the Atlantic coast, inhabiting the eastern United States south to Arkansas, Alabama, and South Carolina. There is a separate area of ​​the range in the eastern part of Labrador. Within this area, it settles on dry soils in lightened forests, in forest glades, in thickets of bushes, on rocky slopes, in pastures, near fields and in the fields themselves. The burrows have several exits and grass-lined chambers.

The woodchuck feeds on alfalfa, clover, forest herbs and grain crops, and occasionally eats snails and insects. Active in the early morning and evening. Often stands up in a column. Emits a piercing whistle, rarely heard muffled barking, and during a fight - a squeal. He prefers to live in solitude. By the fall it becomes fat. Many individuals are inactive already in mid-August, but others leave their holes even after the onset of frost; especially males are active before snow falls. The hibernation of woodchucks is not as deep as in other species. Its duration is about 4-5 months. In March - April, males roam in search of females and, possibly, mate with several females. The gestation period is 31-32 days. The female gives birth to an average of 4 (3-5) cubs. About 70-80% of females participate in reproduction. Cubs will be born naked and blind. The eyes open on the 26-28th day. The fur cover is already well developed by the age of one month. At this time, the mother brings food into the hole, but the cubs, under her supervision, feed on the surface themselves. After another 2-3 weeks, they leave the mother or she kicks them out. Maturation occurs after the first hibernation. They live in captivity for 4-5 years.

Woodchucks cause harm in gardens and fields.

Yellow bellied marmot(M. caligata) is slightly larger than the forest one: the body length is 34-48 cm, the tail is 13-22 cm. It is similar in color to the woodchuck, but there is a distinct border between the reddish sides of the body and the yellowish-buffy belly. The cheeks are relatively light and hardly in contrast with the light spot near the nose. Blacks are often found, in some places up to 25% of the total population. The yellow-bellied marmot is widespread in the western United States, south of the southern border of the woodchuck to Southern California and New Mexico. It prefers mountainous landscapes, where it settles on green lawns surrounded by bare rocks and talus, from low valleys to 3000 m above sea level. Nest holes usually have 3 exits. They feed during the day; often depart at a considerable distance from burrows. They also enter the fields with agricultural crops. Mating takes place around the end of March, and cubs will be born by May, up to 8 in one litter. The rest, apparently, is similar to the woodchuck.

Prairie dogs

Prairie dogs(genus Cynomys, 2 species) outwardly similar to our yellow, or large, ground squirrels, which were previously also attributed to this genus by taxonomists. The body is massive, with short legs. The tail, covered with short hair, is about 1 / A-76 of the body length. Instead of auricles, there is a low leathery ridge. There are cheek pouches (not covered with hair, thin-walled). Prairie dogs are widespread in the center and in the southwestern United States.

Black tailed dog(Cynomys ludovicianus) is distinguished by the color of the hair on the tail (in the terminal third they are black); tail length more than 1/5 of body length. The color of the fur on the back and sides is from pale brownish to brown; the bottom is lighter. Young ones are colored lighter than adults. Weight - 0.7-1.3 kg. Females are smaller than males.

The black-tailed dog is widespread from the states of Montana and North Dakota south to Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. There she settles in the low grass prairies. The settlements are striking along the crater-shaped mounds up to 60 cm high and up to 120 cm in diameter.The mouth of the entrance to the burrow 15-20 cm wide soon narrows to 10-13 cm, goes steeply down to a depth of 1-2 m, then becomes horizontal or slightly oblique. At the same depth, there is a chamber called the auditory or sentry. In the horizontal part of the passages, usually in the lateral groove, there is a nesting chamber. Another bunk is used as a lavatory.

The animals that come out to the surface make sharp sounds, somewhat reminiscent of abrupt barking, and these sounds are accompanied by light blows of the tail. They feed mainly on grassy plants and shrubs on the prairie and eat some insects. Plants with a height of more than 15 cm in a large radius around the burrow are cut completely, both for food and for better visibility of the surrounding area. In dense settlements, many of which occupy hundreds of square miles, dogs almost completely expose the earth's surface. It is estimated that 32 prairie dogs eat a sheep's diet and 256 dogs eat a cow's daily diet. In America, there is a legend about the peaceful cohabitation of prairie dogs with burrowing owls that settle in their burrows. But this is a myth, since owls eat young dogs, and dogs eat owl eggs and chicks. Prairie dogs become very fat in autumn. They may hibernate. However, in mild winter weather, they can be seen active on the surface.

Mating of these animals takes place in February - April. Pregnancy lasts (indirectly) about 27-33 days. Older female prairie dogs will give birth to 2 to 10 (usually about 5) pups, while young ones in the first litter can bring only 2-3. Newborns are naked and blind. The weight of each is about 14 g. By the 26th day, their skin is covered with wool. Eyes open only on the 33-37th day, and then they already "bark". At about 6 weeks of age, they already switch to green food, although milk feeding continues for about a week. Soon after that, the mother digs a new hole for herself or takes another, free one. Most of the young after a few weeks are also evicted from the maternal burrow and one by one occupies empty burrows in the colony. Some females are already mating at the age of one. In captivity, one female lived for 8, 5 years, and the male for more than 10 years.

White-tailed dog(C. gunnisoni) is similar to the black-tailed, but has a dark spot above the eye and on the cheek. In the latest reports, this species includes 4 forms that were previously separated as different species.

White-tailed dogs are widespread from the southern border of Montana to Arizona and New Mexico, inclusive. There they settle in the grassy highlands. By way of life they are similar to black-tailed dogs, although less colonial.

Gophers

Gophers(genus Citellus) - medium-sized rodents: body length 20-38 cm. The tail length of most of the majority is less than half the body length; it is covered with long hair combed at the sides. The auricles are underdeveloped and usually look like a skin ridge around the ear canal. There are bare cheek pouches. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front ones. Skull and teeth, like those of marmots and prairie dogs: on each side of the upper jaw there are 5 molars (together with the premolars), in the lower jaw - 4 each. Distributed in Europe, Asia and North America (from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, deserts of Central Asia and Mexico to the north in places to the shores of the Arctic Ocean). There are about 20 species in total, of which about 10 are in the fauna of the USSR.

The lifestyle of different species of ground squirrels has some common features. They live mainly in open landscapes from the deserts and mountains of Central Asia to the Yakut steppes and tundra. They live in meadows, pastures, pastures, on the borders of fields. Active during the day. They feed mainly on succulent herbaceous plants, bulbs, grains (soft or in the early stages of maturity).

Gophers of some species cause significant harm in agriculture, are sources of diseases (especially the small ground squirrel), dangerous to humans and domestic animals (plague, brucellosis, etc.) - Gopher skins are used as raw materials for fur. The fat melted from carcasses can be used for technical purposes.

Gray gopher(C. citellus) of medium size: body length up to 23.5 cm. Tail of moderate length: up to 7 cm. The soles of the hind legs are covered with hair almost to calluses at the base of the toes. The coloration of the top is one-color brownish-buffy, often with noticeable light spots. Distributed in the south of Western and Central Europe to the east to Western Ukraine and Moldova. There is a similar form in Armenia.

This ground squirrel settles in the plain and mountain landscapes of the forest-steppe and steppe zones, on pastures, virgin areas and places inconvenient for processing (for example, very stony). On arable land, he arranges only temporary burrows, destroyed later during plowing. According to I. Grulikh's observations, in Czechoslovakia in May - June, the activity of ground squirrels is two-phase: the first exit from the holes to the surface occurs 1-2 hours after sunrise (hours before 11), and the second - from 14-15 hours and almost before sunset ... Before hibernation, adult ground squirrels leave less often and at different times during the light half of the day.

Burrows of a gray gopher are temporary and permanent. Permanent burrows have only 1 or 2 exits; in half of the holes, the outcrops are only vertical, in a quarter - only oblique, and in the rest - one oblique and one vertical. The total length of the passages of the permanent burrow is from 14 to 105 m (on average, about 40 m). Most of them have 1-2 cameras, less often up to 3-5 cameras are found. All passages and chambers of an underground structure are located at a depth not exceeding 80 cm. Such a depth of the location of chambers (and passages) in Czechoslovakia is also suitable for wintering, since the ground there freezes no more than 20-35 cm.

The food of the gopher in the second half of May is almost exclusively ripening seeds of meadow grasses, at the end of June - the fruits of various types of geraniums and other species of steppe and pasture grasses. On the borders overgrown with blackberries, gophers willingly eat juicy berries. During the ripening period of grain crops, gray gophers make forays into the fields and eat unripe seeds. For sowing corn, ground squirrels come running from burrows located at a distance of up to 200 m from the field. In narrow fields (10-15 m wide) located near the villages, gray gophers destroy almost the entire crop.

The number of embryos in female gray ground squirrels ranges from 2 to 8, and the number of cubs feeding on milk in excavated burrows ranges from 2 to 6. Young ground squirrels first emerge from their burrows at the end of May. The resettlement of young occurs when their body length reaches 13-15 cm, and their weight is 50-60 g and more. If there are fields nearby, then most of the young animals move to them. Near crops, adult gophers dig temporary burrows, and young ones populate them. Phenologically, the dispersal is associated with the period of milk and waxy maturity of barley. In June, juveniles have a single-phase activity from 9-10 to 15-16 hours, and later they feed twice - in the late morning and early evening hours.

In the first decade of July, adult males and unborn females are already hibernating. The feeding females lie down later - until the first decade of August, and the young are active until the beginning of September.

Yellow gopher(C. fulvus) is the largest: body length up to 38 cm, tail length up to 12 cm (23-40% of body length). The soles of the hind legs are bare. The color of the fur is sandy-yellow, slightly mottled with black ends of the guard hair. The tail has a black pre-terminal border. Distributed from the left bank of the Volga, below the city of Volsk, to the east to Lake Kurgaldzhin and the left bank of the Ili River, to the south to the northern regions of Iran and Afghanistan. Lives in semi-deserts and deserts of clay (loess) and sandy, but avoids bare sands. Burrows are usually located in groups. Settlements (colonies) are often removed from one another at distances of tens and hundreds of kilometers. The burrow of the yellow ground squirrel usually has a course consisting of two segments - inclined and vertical. The total length of the passages of one burrow is about 106 m. The average depth of the nesting chamber is about 210 cm from the surface. In the most favorable habitats, there are up to 25 inhabited burrows per hectare.

Along the northern shore of the Aral Sea and the right bank of the Syr Darya, this gopher is found together with the small gopher. The same places are characterized by large settlements of steppe eagles and other daytime predators (burial eagle, buzzard buzzard), feeding mainly on ground squirrels.

In the offspring of a yellow ground squirrel, there are from 1 to 15 and even 17 (usually 6-8) cubs. Both adults and youngsters that have become independent feed on semi-desert and desert ephemera (desert sedge, goose onions), shoots of wormwood, cereals, etc. Adults do not eat astragalus, ebelek and adraspan growing near burrows at all. Young people are less picky. During the period of active life, molt takes place. By the beginning of hibernation, the animals dress with thick and soft fur. Having quickly accumulated fat reserves, adult males and barren females in the southern deserts already in June - early July, and in the northern part of the range - from the end of July they hibernate until the spring of next year. In the spring they wake up and come to the surface: in the south - from the end of February, and to the north - in March. With a low number, the yellow gopher does not cause noticeable harm. The fur of this ground squirrel is the most valuable, and in the fur-procurement terminology of the yellow ground squirrel it is called sandstone.

Big gopher(C. major) variable in size. Large forms are slightly inferior to the yellow ground squirrel: their body length is 24-33 cm, and the body length of adults of small subspecies is no more than 21-25 cm. The color of their fur is also changeable.

Within a vast area stretched out in a long strip from Central Asia to the northwest to the middle Volga, changes in body size, tail length and fur color are gradual.

The differences between the extreme variants are so significant that by different taxonomists this species was divided into 2-3 and even 4 "species". Each of them was given special Russian names: the Trans-Volga ground squirrel was called big or reddish (C. m. Major); the red-cheeked ground squirrel (C. m. erythrogenys) inhabiting the Zayrtysh Western Siberia and north-east of Kazakhstan; the desert from Karsakpai, Karaganda and Ust-Kamenogorsk to the Balkhash region - by the middle ground squirrel (C. m. intermedins), and the Mongolian - by the light-tailed ground squirrel (C. t. pallidicauda). When studying karyology, in terms of the number and details of the structure of chromosomes, all forms of the great gopher turned out to be identical. Whole populations with intermediate characters are found at the junctions of their ranges.

Large gophers live in different landscapes, from northern deserts and semi-deserts to northern steppes and forest-steppe. In the south and southeast of the range, the large ground squirrel settles in places that are occupied by the yellow ground squirrel to the south. And in the forest-steppe landscapes of the Trans-Volga region, he lives in biotopes that are not characteristic of other ground squirrels - among tall grasses and shrubs. If the southern forms in behavior are similar to other gophers, in particular, they stand up in a column to inspect the surrounding space, then in the Trans-Volga gophers this typical manner has been lost. Among the tall grass stand, the posture in a column does not broaden one's horizons.

Permanent (wintering and brood) burrows have a length of 3 to 9 f in the north of the range, and up to 15–20 m in the south. A small number of exits from the burrow is also characteristic (usually one exit from the inclined and one from the vertical passage) and the absence of a hill (butane, or ground squirrel) before exits from the inclined passages. The ground squirrels thrown out to the surface are apparently evenly scattered over a large area. Nesting chambers - 1, 2 or 3. They are located at a depth of 0, 6-1, 8 m. Among the readily eaten plants are astragals (almost unfeasible by the yellow ground squirrel), various seeds, including agricultural crops, of which oat grains are especially eagerly eaten ... In corn kernels, the germ parts are preferred.

The mating season begins 2-4 days after the spring emergence. A large gopher is considered monogamous. After 25-30 days of pregnancy, numerous offspring appear - up to 16-17 cubs. Among the ground squirrels, this is the most highly fertile species.

With good nutrition, the adult males that have accumulated fat go into hibernation already in the first decade of June, then the adult females leave, and by the end of July - the beginning of August, the young also hibernate until spring.

The large ground squirrel is among the pests of agricultural crops and pastures.

Small gopher(C. pygmaeus) is one of the smaller species. The body length of adults is 19-21 cm. The tail is about 16-20% of the body length. The soles of the hind legs are bare. The hair is short, with sparse underfur. The coloration of the upper part is usually pale, brownish-gray, with an admixture of ocher tones and with indistinct, lighter specks; the bottom is colored lighter.

This gopher is widespread from the Perekop isthmus and the lower reaches of the Dnieper (left bank) to the east almost to Karaganda and the middle reaches of the Syr Darya, to the north - to Kuibyshev and the upper reaches of the Ural, Tobol, Ishim rivers, and to the south - to the Caucasus, Central Ustyurt, Aral coast and the left bank of the Syr Darya and in its lower reaches. The main part of the range occupies the zone of the European and Kazakh semi-desert, to the north it enters dry steppes, and to the south - to the northern deserts. In semi-deserts with a mosaic of soil and plant groups of light chestnut soils in combination with salt licks and salt marshes, overgrown with wormwood with an admixture of drought-resistant and salt-tolerant grasses (bluegrass, fescue, wheatgrass, etc.), there are its most dense settlements. On the Ergeninskaya Upland (south of Volgograd) and in Western Kazakhstan, up to 50 animals live in the spring, and up to 120-150 animals per hectare in the summer (after the resettlement of the young). Other species of ground squirrels do not form such dense settlements.

The first dug wintering burrow of a small ground squirrel has a simple and uniform structure: an inclined course with a heap of ground thrown onto the surface (butane, or ground squirrel), a nesting chamber located at a depth of 1.5-2 m, and behind the chamber there is a vertical passage, at first on 10-25 cm not brought to the surface. The near-surface segment is plugged from the inside with an earthen plug. In the spring, the awakened gopher comes to the surface only through a small rounded hole from the vertical passage. Such a hole is called a freckle. Only 3-4 days after the first exit to the surface, the owner of the hole dugs out the cork of the inclined passage from the outside. In burrows occupied for decades, up to 30-40 inclined and vertical passages (usually 12-15) have already been laid, open in the summer and clogged for the winter. Over the decades, the height of butane rises to 45-60 cm, and the diameter increases to 5-8 m. In places with ancient settlements of small ground squirrels, the relief in vast territories becomes shallow, these hillocks are emissions of ground squirrels. The total area of ​​butanes is up to half of the total area of ​​semi-desert pastures.

Butane is formed from the usually saline (carbonate) soil thrown by the ground squirrel on the surface. Fresh emissions are completely naked. Later, salt-tolerant plants (for example, black wormwood) settle on them, which are not eaten by either gophers or livestock.

Small ground squirrels feed mainly on soft and juicy parts of plants - seedlings, stems, leaves, bulbs (viviparous bluegrass, liliaceae). Seeds are eaten only soft, unripe. Of the cultivated cereals, only oat grains are willingly eaten.

In the spring, males are the first to wake up and come to the surface, then females, and soon the rutting period begins. No one has ever seen gophers mating on the surface. The duration of pregnancy is probably 22-26 days. In favorable years, up to 95-98% of females breed, including females born last year, but in other years, as was the case, for example, in 1945, only about 25% reproduced, and in 1942 only 11, 8 and even 5%. There are from 1 to 15 embryos, but usually 5 to 9 babies are born. In unfavorable years, some of the embryos stop developing and are absorbed (resorbed).

The mass of a newborn is 3.5-4 g, and at the age of three weeks it is already about 25 g. On the 15-16th day, the wort is covered with dark speckled fur. At the age of 20-25 days, the already sighted wort begins to emerge from their burrows and gradually switch to self-feeding on plant food. At this time, the mother digs several new burrows in the vicinity of her burrow, intended for her offspring, soon leaves her brood and settles in another burrow herself. 5-10 days after the first exit to the surface, the orphaned gopher begins to settle from the mother's hole into the holes that the mother built for them, or into others, free for some reason. All the young are in motion. In search of a separate apartment, the wort looks into every hole. If there is no adult animal in the hole, it is occupied by young ones, who at first peacefully relate to each other. Sometimes in one burrow several cubs from different families accumulate. Later, everyone tries to find a "mansion" for themselves. Long buzzards, harriers, kites, saker falcons, even ravens and magpies attack young small gophers.

Daurian ground squirrel(C. dauricus) in size, appearance and structure of the skull is similar to the gray ground squirrel. Distributed from Southeastern Transbaikalia through the steppes of Eastern Mongolia to Northern and Northeastern China. In China, it is represented by several subspecies.

The Daurian ground squirrel awakens from hibernation (in Transbaikalia) in the second half of April. At the end of May, males hibernate again, and young ones are often awake until late autumn. The Daurian gopher does not dig vertical passages. Wintering burrows are available with one exit and without butane. In Transbaikalia, they are used for wintering only once. After awakening, the males move into temporary burrows, there are usually up to 10. Females dig new brood burrows or occupy the burrows of the Daurian pika for shelter. Animal food (insects and their larvae) is found in 90% of stomachs and reaches 50% of their contents. In plant food, cereals, flowers and fruits of herbs predominate. Young Daurian ground squirrels become sexually mature in the second year of life. The average number of embryos of the Daurian ground squirrel under the conditions of Transbaikalia is about 8. In China, in some places it damages plague and gaolyan crops, and is also a source of plague infection.

Relic gopher(C. relictus) is also similar to the gray and Daurian, but the soles of the hind legs are bare. The distribution of the animal is limited to separate isolated areas on the mountain ranges of the Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai. There he lives in the mountain steppes from dry wormwood-fescue (on loess, less often on gravelly soils) to cereal-forb alpine steppes and meadow-steppes (at an altitude of 500-800 to 3000-3300 m above sea level), preferring soft, well-soddy slopes. Lives in sparse juniper forests. In the foothill zone, it willingly settles among the weeds near old winter quarters, in the ruins of adobe buildings and under the winds near the villages. Usually it does not settle on plowed lands. Does not form dense settlements.

Burrows of a relatively simple structure, like those of the Daurian and gray ground squirrels. Most of the permanent burrows have only one outlet and one nesting chamber. The same similarity in the mode of activity and nutrition. In particular, in the relict diet, insects account for up to 50% of the total food.

The rutting period, due to the different times of awakening from hibernation, stretches for almost a month. At this time, males run a lot in search of females, even in bad weather, eat little and by the end of the rut lose a lot of weight, consuming the remnants of fat preserved after hibernation. Pregnancy lasts 25-28 days. Up to 86-87 and even 90-92% of females take part in reproduction, although there are years when fertility is reduced to 66%. There are 4-6 to 10-12 embryos. The release of young animals begins in mid-May and lasts until mid-June. Hibernate in the same sequence as other species, but somewhat later than on hot plains. Before the burrow occurs, they clog the hole with earth for about 0.5 m. Due to the complexity of the mountain conditions, the exit from the wintering holes stretches for almost a month in one place, and the difference between those living on different ridges and heights is even greater - from the end of February in Issyk -Kul depression until early May on the Chatkal ridge. Sometimes the awakened ground squirrel, before leaving the burrow, digs a layer of snow up to 40-70 cm thick above it. In the spring, at night, and sometimes in the daytime, the gophers clog the exits of the nesting burrows with an earthen plug. During the flowering period, caragana relict ground squirrels climb onto the branches of this shrub.

Speckled gopher(C. suslicus) the size of a small ground squirrel, but the color of the top is contrasting-spotted: almost white rounded spots are clearly distinguished against the dark background of the back. The soles of the hind legs are covered with hair. Distributed in the chernozem steppes and in the forest-steppe of Europe, from Central Poland to the east to the Volga. The southern border of its range is adjacent to the northern border of the small ground squirrel. Its absence in the subzone of dry steppes is explained not by competition with the small ground squirrel (obviously more viable), but by the physiological characteristics of the species, in particular, by the slower accumulation of fat, which is why the animal cannot fall into summer thermal torpor. It settles on unplowed strips of steppes: on pastures, along the sides of dirt roads, between fields, slopes of beams and other "inconveniences". Burrows are simpler than those of a small ground squirrel: with fewer exits and with a barely noticeable release - butane. It settles both in colonies and in solitary burrows. It is active mainly in the morning and evening hours. The diet is dominated by cereals: fescue, feather grass, wild oats and bluegrass. On the fields with grain crops comes up to 40-50 m from the border. Awakening from hibernation occurs from late March (in the south) to mid-April (in the north). The average number of pups in a litter is 6-7. Hibernates from August to late September.

Long-tailed gopher(C. undulatus) has medium and large sizes: body length 21-33 cm, tail about 40% of body length (longer than all other ground squirrels of Eurasia). The bottom of the tail is red, at the end it is black, and on the sides it is edged with white. In the middle of the foot there is a thick tuft of long hair, in many (especially young individuals) the heel is also covered with hair. The coloration of the upper part is brownish-buffy, with vague light specks.

This ground squirrel is widespread from the Eastern Tien Shan, Dzhungarskiy Alatau, in Central and Western Mongolia through the south of Central Siberia (to the north, almost to the Angara and the upper Lena) along the mountains of Transbaikalia, in the north of the Big Khingan; from central Yakutia (the section between Vilyui and Lena) to Kamchatka and the eastern coast of the Chukotka Peninsula. Beyond the Bering Strait, it inhabits almost all of Alaska and northern (mainland) Canada east to Hudson Bay, and south to British Columbia. Within such a huge range, the long-tailed ground squirrel forms several geographic forms. With small morphological differences, these forms are diverse in their way of life. Here we will give only some information on the biology of some of the subspecies.

The West Nomongol subspecies (C. undulatus stramineus), studied in detail by A. Bekenov (1967), lives in the Dzhungarskiy Alatau. This ground squirrel inhabits three altitudinal belts: mountain-steppe, subalpine (with thickets of juniper elfin and juniper) and the belt of alpine meadow-steppes. Within these belts, it is dispersed in separate colonies.

In the nesting (brood) burrow of the ground squirrel there is only one exit, usually one nesting chamber located at a depth of 54-75 cm and usually above the entrance hole. In addition to the main passage and the chamber, there are seams (up to 70 cm long), some of which are used as latrines, and others for food supplies. From July to hibernation, the basis of the diet of the long-tailed ground squirrel (up to two-thirds) is the seeds of herbaceous plants. The gopher not only eats seeds in the meadow, but drags them into the hole (in cheek pouches). The mass of stored seeds is up to 900 g. Other species of ground squirrels of our fauna do not collect food reserves. In addition to plant food, the long-tailed ground squirrel eats worms and insects, especially locusts, for which it deftly and successfully hunts. Occasionally, the remains of small animals are found in the stomachs.

Long-tailed ground squirrels wake up in the Dzhungarskiy Alatau in late March - early April. The rut runs from late April to late May. There are about 5 cubs in one litter. Their resettlement begins in July and lasts almost a whole month.

Characterized by high mobility of long-tailed ground squirrels and their distance from their burrows at times for several hundred meters. The running gopher easily jumps over medium-sized stones, hollows and juniper bushes. In tight turns, it balances with its long tail. Cautious. A person is not allowed closer to 70-§0 m. Frightened, he often runs away from his burrow and hides among stones or in a groundhog's burrow. Of the various sounds emitted by the animal, the abrupt chirping, similar to the chirping of a magpie, is especially characteristic. They hibernate in mid-September - early October, and on the southern slopes they are active until November.

In northern Mongolia, long-tailed ground squirrels (C. u. Undulatus) live not only in the mountain steppes, but also in the glades and edges of light larch groves. According to A.G. Bannikov's impressions, in these places the long-tailed gopher, already looking like a squirrel, amazes with its squirrel appearance, especially when it hides behind a tree trunk, near which there is a burrow.

In the Amur Region, large long-tailed ground squirrels (with a body length of up to 33 cm in males) often settle on the boundaries of fields and on the fields themselves. After harvesting, the gopher uses a bunch of sheaves as an observation post. He collects stocks from grains of cultivated plants: wheat, barley, oats, buckwheat, sunflower, peas, etc. More than 100 wheat grains fit into the cheek pouch. In stock collects only fat, full-weight grains (up to 6 kg). Lays them on a bed of dry grass, and different cultures- in different storerooms. Nesting chambers are located there at a depth of 315 cm.

Near Yakutsk (according to the observations of PD Larionov), long-tailed ground squirrels settle in the taiga areas of the indigenous left bank of the Lena - on the manes of steppe meadows, as well as in clearings and clearings of pine forests. Burrows up to 21 m long are laid at a depth of up to 2 m, but nesting chambers (up to 3-5 in one burrow) are located at a depth of 60-72 cm (less often, up to 1 m). There are up to 10 exits to the surface. In addition to plant food, they eat insects (especially filly), carrion and kitchen waste. In captivity, they eat meat even more readily than grass. More than 2 kg of germinated wheat seeds were found in one burrow. Hibernate near Yakutsk in late September - October.

To the east of the Verkhoyansk ridge, the American form of the ground squirrel (C. u. Parryi) is widespread, similar in size to the Amur one. According to S. A. Buturlin's observations, long-tailed ground squirrels settle there on the slopes of river valleys and the sea coast, and sometimes - under the floors of non-residential buildings, which was also noted in Altai, where the local population even calls long-tailed ground squirrels rats. In Kolyma, they hibernate at the end of September.

On the eastern coast of the Chauneka Bay, near Pevek (according to the observations of A.P. Kuzya kin), in the rocky Arctic tundra, gopher burrows are located among the thickets of dwarf birch, and on the eastern coast of Chukotka - on small gently sloping eaves of coastal rocks, overgrown with high and dense herbs.

In the Canadian part of the range, long-tailed ground squirrels, which are called arctic there, settle in well-drained areas. At the age of over a year, they mate. After 25-26 days of gestation, the female gives birth to 5 to 10 cubs (in May). After 4 months, they reach about half the mass of adults and live with their parents until the end of summer. By the sound of their voices, they are similar to the Yakut ground squirrels; they also arrange food supplies in their holes.

Townsend's gopher(C. townsendi) of medium size: body length about 18-20 cm, tail length varying from 3 to 7 cm, weight about 250 g. The color of the fur on the back is compared to the color of cinnamon, the bottom and sides are whitish. Distributed in the western United States, in the states of Nevada, Oregon and adjacent to them. It settles there in thickets of sage bushes, in valleys and watersheds covered with juniper; often climbs bushes. His voice is a drawn-out, intermittent whistle.

It hibernates from July to February. Pregnancy lasts about 24 days. There are 7-10 cubs in the offspring.

Colombian ground squirrel(C. columbianus) large (body length 24-30 cm), long-tailed (8-12 cm), with distinctly protruding ears. The tail is densely pubescent, like a long-tailed ground squirrel; the middle and top of the tail are reddish, and on the sides there is a light fringe. The back is colored like that of a long-tailed ground squirrel: gray-buffy, with indistinct specks. The bottom from the head to the base of the tail and legs are covered with red hair. Distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, and further south in the states of Washington, Idaho and Montana. This gopher lives on open and partially forested mountain slopes at an altitude of 2600 m. It emits a sharp cry and whistle, repeated several times. Wakes up in February - early March. Mating takes place in the second half of March. After 23-24 days of gestation, 2 to 7 babies are born. At 30 days of age, young people are already switching to plant foods. Growth ends in the second year. They hibernate since July.

Thirteen-striped gopher(C. tridecemlineatus) small (body length 11-16 cm), long-tailed (6-13 cm), peculiarly colored: 13 narrow whitish or yellowish stripes stretch along the head against a dark brown background, 5 of them are divided into linearly spaced spots. In the shape of the skull, this gopher looks more like a chipmunk than a gopher. Its anterior premolar tooth is small. According to these and other characteristics, the thirteen-striped ground squirrel is distinguished into a special subgenus (Ictidomys). It is widespread in most of the central states of the United States and southern Canada, from Alberta to Manitoba. Lives in grassy steppes, in rocky areas and in bushes along the edges of forests. His voice resembles a high-pitched "chur-rrr". Wakes up from hibernation in March or April. Mating takes place shortly after waking up, and after 28 days of gestation, 5 to 13 cubs will be born. At the age of 26-28 days, they are already densely covered with striped hair and become sighted. In burrows he collects food reserves. It hibernates since autumn. It does not settle in the fields and does not cause any noticeable harm.

Spotted gopher(C. spilosoma) small (body length 13-15 cm), long-tailed (6-9 cm), similar in color to the European speckled ground squirrel, but its rounded spots are scattered on a reddish-brown background. It is a common inhabitant of the arid regions of the southwestern United States as far south as Middle Mexico. It hibernates for a short time, but it was found on the surface in the middle of winter. Females can bring 2 offspring per year, 5-8 cubs each.

Franklin's gopher(C. franklini) large: body length 24-25 cm, tail length 13-15 cm. In relatively large auricles and a long fluffy tail, it looks like an American gray squirrel. Distributed in the central states of the United States and southern Canada. Lives in the steppes, in the fields, along the edges of pastures and in forest glades. It takes refuge in burrows. It lives everywhere in small numbers. His voice is a pure bird-like sibilant chirp. He collects food reserves in burrows. Sleeps from autumn to April. In May - June, the female gives birth to 5-8 cubs.

Stone gopher(C. variegatus) is larger than Franklin's gopher, its tail is also long. The fur is blackish-brown with a beautiful streaky pattern. This gopher is common in the southwestern United States (from the states of Nevada and Colorado south to Central Mexico). It settles on steep mountain slopes and in stone gorges. Often sits on boulders, emitting occasional loud, sharp whistles. He is good at climbing bushes and trees. It hibernates for a short time, but it also occurs on the surface in winter. He lived in captivity for up to 10 years. The female can bring 2 offspring per year: in May - June and in August - September. Each litter has 5-7 cubs.

Golden gophers(genus Callospermophilus) are very close to the previous group of species and to the real gophers of the Old World. Sometimes they are combined into one genus. The body length of golden ground squirrels is 15-22 cm, tail - 5-12 cm, weight - 170-290 g. The color is characterized by longitudinal light (white or yellowish-brown) stripes on the sides of the back, bordered with darker fur. Between these stripes, the color is grayish or brownish with a golden tint. The fur, soft and thick, changes once a year. There are cheek pouches in which the gopher carries food.

Two species of golden ground squirrels - C. lateralis and C. saturatus - are common in the United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast and the Cascade and Rocky Mountains of Canada, and one (C. madrensis) - in the Mexican highlands of the Sierra Madre. Inhabited by rocky and stony areas, forest edges, clearings and old burnt-out areas. Here, among the stones or under the protection of a fallen tree trunk, golden gophers make refuge.

The animal itself digs a small hole up to a quarter of a meter deep and less than a meter long. He spends most of the time on the ground, but sometimes he climbs trees or into the crown of bushes. In the underground storerooms, it accumulates stocks of feed by the spring. For the winter (from October to March) it goes into deep hibernation. Every year, once in May, June or July, the female brings from 2 to 8 cubs. Animals can carry tularemia and plague pathogens.

Antelope ground squirrels(genus Ammospermophilus) were named for the gracefulness of the animals and their fast running.

In size they are close to the small species of our ground squirrels: body length 14-15 cm, tail length 5-10 cm. Weight 100-150 g. The dorsal side is light gray or light reddish brown. On the sides there is a beautiful white stripe bordered with darker edges. The ventral side is white. Above, the tail is dark, with a white tip, the underside is also almost white. The fur is not too thick and hard. Cheek pouches are well developed.

Five forms of this genus are distributed in the desert regions of the southwestern United States from Colorado through the states of Utah, Northern Arizona, Nevada, southern California, down the Rio Grande del Nor-te valley to western Texas and adjacent areas of northern Mexico. Antelope ground squirrels are the most visible animals of dry, covered with sparse vegetation (including cacti) areas of the so-called "Wild West". They dig their own burrows, similar in structure to the burrows of many of our ground squirrels. Active all year round. They do not hibernate, but during cold snaps they may not leave their shelters for several days, using the reserves prepared in advance or falling into a slight torpor.

Antelope ground squirrels eat various seeds and fruits, bulbs and rhizomes, green parts of plants, insects, sometimes also carrion, small lizards and other animals of similar size. When disturbed, the antelope gopher communicates this to its other relatives with a piercing whistle. At the same time, he can stand up on his hind legs and shake his bushy tail, which is usually thrown behind him. If the danger is real, the animal quickly rushes with its graceful gallop to the hole, overcoming rocky cliffs and placers of stones with the grace of an aerial acrobat.

African gophers(genus Xerus) resemble squirrels in appearance, but live in earthen burrows. Two kinds: red(X. rutilus) with a body length of 23-25 ​​cm and a tail of 18-21 cm and striped squirrel(X. erythropus) with a body length of 25-30 cm, a tail of 23-28 cm. Fur is rough, sparse, without undercoat. There are almost no auricles.

African gopher squirrels are common in the northeast and west of Africa, where they live in savannas, light forests, semi-deserts and deserts.

The traveler arriving in Africa quickly becomes acquainted with the earth squirrels, which often cross the road in front of the car. In many African languages, these animals are called “crossing the path”.

Ground proteins feed on seeds and fruits of various plants, and also dig up edible rhizomes and bulbs in large quantities. They can significantly harm groundnut crops and sweet potatoes and other root crops. Locusts and other insects are also regularly consumed, and sometimes they destroy bird nests or catch small lizards.

Ground squirrel(Geosciurus inauris) - related to the previous group and sometimes united in the rank of a subgenus into one genus Xerus. In general appearance it is similar to the previous ones, but females have a greater number of nipples (4-6). Body length 22-26 cm, tail 20-25 cm. Fur is sparse and hard, without undercoat. Upper part is light reddish-brown or reddish-gray with small black dots due to black tips at individual hairs. A white stripe runs along the sides from the shoulders to the hips. Nails are long, white or yellow. Lives in South Africa south to the Orange River and in the Karoo Desert in rocky places. The animals dig short (up to 1-2 m) burrows with several exits, sometimes connected to the burrows of their neighbors. They do not hibernate. The female gives birth to 1 to 6 (usually 4) cubs once or twice a year. A curious cohabitation of earthen squirrels with a colonial predator from the civerrids family, the meerkat (S. suricata), has been noted.

Young earth squirrels and meerkats visit each other to play together among rocks and stones.

Ground squirrels are often kept in homes and gardens as fun pets. They quickly get used to the owner and do not try to run away.

The genus Atlantoxerus includes maghreb squirrel(A. getulus), which in size and appearance

similar to an earth squirrel. The color is characterized by light longitudinal stripes on the sides. Lives in rocky mountainous and foothill regions of Morocco and Algeria. Active early in the morning and in the evening. She spends the sultry midday hours in burrows dug among stones or roots of an argan tree (Argana suderoxylon), the seeds and fruits of which she feeds on. In the event of a crop failure or an increase in population density, Maghreb squirrels make massive migrations to neighboring areas.

Slender ground squirrel(Spermophilopsis leptodactylus) - morphologically close to the three previous groups of African ground squirrels and some taxonomists are allocated together with them in a special subfamily Xerinae. Its body size is the same as that of a yellow ground squirrel. The toes are long, thin, with very long, gently curved claws. Feet densely pubescent. The side toes of the hind legs are provided with tufts of long, curved hairs. The end part of the tail is black underneath with a light border. In summer, the body is covered with very short (2-4 mm) hard, flattened top and tight-fitting hair, and in winter - with normal high (15-18 mm) fur with a thick undercoat. Hair color is monophonic sandy. Skull with a wide interorbital space, like in true squirrels.

The slender gopher is widespread in the sandy deserts of southern Kazakhstan, Central Asia and the northern regions of Iran and Afghanistan. A burrow up to 5 deep with one entrance is dug on the slope of a sandy hillock or ridge. In a chamber located at a depth of 2–3 le, there is usually no vegetation cover (nest). Most of the young animals remain in the mother's burrow for the winter, but the mother leaves them in such cases.

In sparse settlements, fine-toed ground squirrels do not form colonies. In a solitary (disconnected) life, they rarely make sounds.

It is believed that the black spot at the end of the tail is used as a visual signal.

Chipmunks

Chipmunks(2 closely related genera). Siberian chipmunk(Eutamias sibiricus) is a typical representative of the genus of chipmunks. Its body length is 14-15 cm, the length of the fluffy tail is 9-10 cm.On the back and sides, typical for all chipmunks, 5 longitudinal dark stripes on a light gray or reddish background

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The Siberian chipmunk is widespread from the Kirov region and the Komi ASSR through the Urals to Sakhalin and the upper reaches of Anadyr (it is not in Kamchatka). To the south it goes to Vetluga, Kazan, the Southern Urals, Northern Mongolia, Central China and Japan.

Chipmunks live in coniferous, mixed and deciduous forests, preferring forest edges, clarified areas, windfalls and litter. The nest is placed under a large tree felled by the wind, in voids among roots or stones, less often in tree hollows and birdhouses (in protected forests). The animals climb trees well, but in case of alarm they hide in their underground or ground shelters. They are active during daylight hours.

Chipmunks feed on seeds, in coniferous forests they prefer seeds of coniferous trees, on the harvest of which their well-being depends. They also eat berries, mushrooms, lichens, insects and other invertebrates. Up to 5 kg of selected seeds are stored for the winter.

In winter, the Siberian chipmunk goes into a shallow hibernation. Soon after the spring awakening, the rut takes place. In a single litter of the year, there are from 2 to 10 (usually 4-6) cubs.

Chipmunks live in North America, very similar to the Siberian. There are 16 “species” in total, the reality of most of which is doubtful. They are distributed there from the Central Yukon and Mackenzie to Mexico.

East American chipmunk(Tamias strialus) is distinguished into a special genus, distinguished by the absence of a small upper premolar tooth. Its body size is 14-19 cm, its tail is 8-11 cm; weight 70-140 g. The back is reddish-brown with five shortened almost white stripes bordered with dark fur. The tail is reddish brown. It inhabits almost the entire eastern United States and southeastern Canada. Lives there in deciduous forests, thickets of bushes, among rocks and stony placers. Under a stone or a fallen tree trunk, it makes a shallow hole with a nesting extension at the end. The way of life is similar to real chipmunks.

Chipmunk squirrels(genus Tamiasciurus) are also called American red squirrels. In size they are close to an ordinary squirrel: body length 16-23 cm; weight 140-130 g. The tail is noticeably shorter than the body (9-15 cm). The color is reddish. Two species of chipmunk squirrels are found in North America. T. hudgsoni ranges from Alaska and Quebec southward across the Rocky Mountains to New Mexico and also includes forests in the Appalachian Mountains. The second species (T. douglasii) is distributed from British Columbia to California.

By way of life, chipmunk squirrels are very close to ordinary squirrels, but in structure and in some details of biology, they differ significantly from all tree squirrels.

Rocky squirrels(genus Sciurotamias). The size of rocky squirrels is similar to our ordinary squirrel. S. davidianus inhabiting northern China is white on the ventral side. The coloration of the dorsal side is formed by mixed in different proportions black and reddish-brown hairs. Around the eyes there is a thin light ring, the ears are almost black. Common in southwestern China and Yunnan, S. forresti is grayish brown with a narrow whitish lateral stripe, with a dark upper edge that extends from the shoulders to the hips. The sides are reddish, the throat and chest are white, the ventral side is light, reddish-brown. In S. davidianus, the soles of the feet are covered with fur.

The lifestyle of rocky squirrels is almost like that of chipmunks. Unlike the latter, squirrels do not hibernate, but they arrange large supplies of food, which they bring in small cheek pouches. They live in forest or shrub thickets among rocks. They can climb trees on occasion, but most of the time they run on the ground and on rocks. A nest is made in convenient niches among rocks or under stones. They breed, apparently, up to twice a year, in one litter on average 4 cubs. Before the onset of a cold or dry period, the animals arrange a pantry near the nest, where they store up to 10 kg of various seeds and nuts, dried fruits and high quality mushrooms.

Ratufs

Ratufs(genus Ratufa), or Asian giant squirrels, are represented by four species. Their body length is about 50 cm, and their weight is up to 3 kg. The tail of all is approximately equal to the length of the body. The smallest species is significantly inferior in size: the body length is about 25-30 cm, but this also corresponds to the largest of our ordinary squirrels.

The coloration is very varied, from a spectacular combination of a shiny black back with an orange or yellowish-brown belly side of the body to less striking brown and gray tones. The ears are short and rounded, big-tailed ratufa(R. macroura) they are decorated with tassels. Forefeet with long toes and well-developed pad.

Big-tailed ratufa distributed in South India and Ceylon; two-tone ratufa(R. bicolor) occupies an area within Nepal, Burma, Indochina, East India; malay ratufa(R. affinis) is found in Indonesia and the Malacca Peninsula; indian ratufa(R. indica) occupies almost the entire Indian subcontinent northward to Orissa and Surat. These large, colorful squirrels live in humid and seasonally dry rainforests. Almost their entire life is spent in the crowns of tall trees. During the movement, the ratufs make jumps up to 6 m long with extraordinary ease and agility. At the same time, they can also jump 5-10 m down, using large, wide pads on their feet as shock absorbers. The food of all ratuf consists of the usual squirrel diet: fruits, nuts, tree seeds, their young shoots and buds, mushrooms and lichens, large insects, and sometimes eggs and chicks of various birds.

Ratuffs are prone to loneliness, and more than two in one place are rare. Their individual plot can vary greatly in different regions and according to the seasons, depending on the abundance of food. The shelter is arranged in hollows or nests, in the middle or upper part of the crown. After 28 days of gestation (the period for the large-tailed ratufa), 1-2 cubs appear. Like other squirrels, they are naked and blind, and develop relatively slowly. The mother feeds her offspring with milk for about a month and a half. Young squirrels reach puberty after 6 months. There are, apparently, three broods per year, and in more arid regions - two. In nature, ratufs live on average about 5-6 years. In captivity, they often live up to 15 years. These animals are hunted in some areas for meat.

Protein

Oilseed protein(Protoxerus stangeri) gets its name from its penchant for oil palm fruits. It is similar in size to an ordinary squirrel or slightly larger (body length 23-33 cm), the tail is 3-4 cm longer than the body. The coloration is very variable. The dorsal side is olive or almost completely black. There is a white or grayish stripe on the cheeks. The ventral side is yellowish. The long fluffy tail is black and white or black and red. The ventral side is covered with sparse fur, which is almost completely absent on the abdomen. The fur on the back is dense, but hard and without undercoat. The range of oilseed protein covers areas from Ghana to Kenya, to the south - to Angola and the island of Fernando Po. The oil squirrel is an inhabitant of the upper tiers of the forest. In search of food, it can sometimes descend to the ground. Often the animal is in front "painted" with orange juice of the fruit of the oil palm. In addition to them, it feeds on the usual assortment of feeds for proteins. Nests are arranged in hollows. There are 3-4 cubs in one brood. Reproduction is noted up to 3 times a year.

Solar proteins(genus Heliosciurus) are similar in size to an ordinary squirrel, but have a slightly longer tail. The coloration is very varied: greenish-gray, brown, almost black from the back and from below from yellowish to bright red-brown. The bushy tail has dark fur with light tops on each hair. The known 13 species are divided into two subgenera: nominative - from one species - gambian protein(N. gambianus) and the subgenus Aethosciurus, which unites the rest of the species.

The last group includes the most brightly colored representatives. Solar squirrels are distributed from 15 ° N to 15 ° S latitude almost throughout Africa. They live both in dense forests and in open savannas with separate clumps of trees and shrubs.

These animals love to “sunbathe” in the morning and in the evening, stretched out on a tree branch. This habit gave rise to their name. They are active in the morning and in the evening, preferring to arrange a "siesta" in the hot hours of the day, resting in a hollow. The food is common for squirrels. Sun squirrels often eat the fruits of the oil palm, as well as the fruits of the Carapa, Urera, Conopharyngia trees. Gambian protein is known to be a pest on coffee and cocoa plantations. For this species, a tendency to collectivism is noted: sometimes 6-8 squirrels spend the night in one hollow. Small N. poensis in Ghana often settles in gardens near houses; N. ruvensorii can even settle under the roofs of houses, which has been noted for rural areas among the forests east of Lake Kivu. Some species, with a lack of hollows, arrange a gayno not high from the ground, lining it with fresh leaves. Breeds 2-3 times a year, in one brood there are 3-4 cubs. Locals chase sunny squirrels for their delicious meat.

Palm squirrels(Funambulus) are smaller in size than our squirrel and are close to chipmunks in this trait. Many species are generally similar to them, as they have longitudinal stripes on the back. Usually, 3 light stripes stand out sharply against a dark grayish-brown or even almost black background, sometimes another light stripe runs along the ridge. The ventral side of the palm squirrel F. layardi is bright, dark red.

Palm squirrels are common in India, Baluchistan and Ceylon. They live both in dense forests and in open palm groves among fields and villages. Their way of life is predominantly arboreal, but often the animals run across the ground and feed there for a short time. The food is common for squirrels. In a number of areas, the harm of palm squirrels was noted on coffee plantations, where animals eat buds and buds. There are reports that these animals consume the nectar of some plants and participate in pollination of flowering Grevelea robusta trees. In India, animals can be seen walking in the trees in the courtyards of villages and even cities. A spherical nest made of plant fibers (often strong leaf veins of palm trees are used for this) are placed in the crowns of trees. There, after 40-45 days of pregnancy, 2-4 newborns appear (up to three times a year). It takes about 2 months to feed the young with milk, and by 6-8 months they can already participate in reproduction themselves.

Striped squirrels(genus Funisciurus) are African relatives of India's palm squirrels. Their size and general appearance are similar. By color, all species are divided into two groups: some have longitudinal stripes on the back, others do not. But on the other hand, the species of the second group have light lines on the sides. The coloration of the back is reddish-black, since individual red hairs are mixed with black ones. The ventral side is white or creamy. The tail is almost the same length as the body, fluffy and dark.

The ranges of 15 species of striped squirrels cover the area between the Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone south to Angola and Southwest Africa, east to Tanzania and Upper Congo. These rodents inhabit dense equatorial forests, woodlands, shrubs and savannahs. They go to the mountains up to an altitude of 2500 m above sea level. They are active in the morning and in the evening, they keep mainly in the lower tiers of the forest and run a lot on the ground. Palm fiber ball nests are placed 2 to 6 m above the ground. F. carruthersi, inhabiting the mountain forests of equatorial Africa, adheres to the banks of rivers overgrown with bamboo. She was noted to eat the fruits of Bridelia, Alchornea and Carapa.

One of the most notable squirrels in Ghana and neighboring countries - white-striped squirrel(F. leucostigma), with light streaks on the sides of the body. This animal is often found in groups of several individuals, which, at the sight of a person, begin to scream excitedly, raising panic among the inhabitants of the forest. These squirrels reproduce 3-4 times a year, in one brood there are usually 2-3 cubs. Striped squirrels live well in captivity, quickly get used to the host and do not try to escape even when kept outside the cage.

Shrub proteins(genus Paraxerus) in size and proportions of the body are close to the previous species of striped and palm squirrels. Some species are outwardly similar to chipmunks - they have 4 dark stripes on their backs alternating with three light ones. These species are usually smaller (weight 40-100 g, body length 110-170 mm). Larger animals (up to 25 cm long) do not have stripes, are colored from the back in brownish, gray-green and yellowish-gray tones, sometimes with a clear gray bloom (for example, the Ugandan P. palliatus and P. ochraceus). There are 12 species of shrub squirrels common in arboreal areas in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Gray-footed bush squirrel(R. sepapi) is the most numerous arboreal rodent in the southern half of the continent. She lives not only among trees, but also in rocks overgrown with bushes. It is similar in size to our ordinary squirrel, but the ears do not have tassels. The greenish-gray fur camouflages the animal very well on the branches and among the lichen-covered rocks. The gray-footed squirrel is especially active in the morning and in the evening, and during the heat it rests in its nest, which it arranges in hollows or suitable recesses of rocky cliffs; especially often the refuge is located in the hollow mopani trees, the groves of which are found even in very arid areas. The bottom of the hollow is covered with dry grass and leaves. The gray-footed squirrel feeds on fruits, fruits, and seeds; in addition, it eats pollen and nectar from plants and insects. During the winter drought, this rodent spends a lot of time on the ground, where among the fallen dry leaves it searches for insects and other invertebrates, which it also consumes to replenish its water needs. In the vicinity of cities and villages, if this squirrel is not pursued, it often settles under the roofs of houses and pays almost no attention to the proximity of a person. If the gray-footed squirrel is disturbed, it makes a high-pitched squeak and chirping sounds, while twitching its tail in all directions. Before the beginning of the winter season, the animals store seeds, bulbs and nutritious roots. A spherical nest of plant fiber is built among the branches and lianas.

Pregnancy in shrub squirrels lasts for about a month or up to 5 weeks. There are usually 3-4 cubs in a brood. In arid regions, there are no more than 2 litters per year, for humid equatorial regions, up to 3-4 broods are indicated. The latter, however, is doubtful.

Mouse proteins(Myosciurus) are the smallest of all squirrels. M. pumilio is approximately equal in size to an average mouse (body length 60-75 cm, tail length 5 cm). The dorsal side is yellowish-greenish, the underside is white with an olive tint. Rounded ears with white edges. The muzzle is noticeably elongated. There is one premolar tooth from each hundred "-rones of the upper jaw." It is a poorly studied inhabitant of the dense and humid tropical forests of Gabon, Cameroon and, apparently, other countries of the Congo basin.

Fine proteins(genus Callosciurus) is a large and varied group of species, many of which bear local names meaning “beautifully decorated squirrels,” “beautiful squirrels,” and so on. Indeed, most species are very beautiful. Among them are almost entirely white or cream (for example, C. finlaysoni). This same species can be not only white, but almost completely shiny black. A number of fine squirrels are grayish or brownish on the dorsal side, and bright red or reddish brown underneath. Many are tricolor. For example, large C. prevosi from the back is shiny black, from the ventral side is bright chestnut-new red, and from the side it is bordered by a wide pure white stripe. Even the less flamboyant representatives of this group are smart. So, gray-haired squirrel(C. caniceps) brown above with a grayish gray bloom, and below a gentle gray tone. This species changes shades in different seasons and is most vivid during the breeding season. In C. erythraeus, the lower part of the body (chest and abdomen) may be bright red, but sometimes it is also pure white. Variation in color is characteristic not only for different species of this group, but also for any one species.

About 20 types of wonderful squirrels are common in the countries of Southeast Asia, including the islands of Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as Taiwan. The gray-haired squirrel was brought to Japan and there it acclimatized well on the southern islands of the country. Beautiful squirrels live in forests of various types, and are also very common in urban and rural gardens and parks. By way of life, they are typical proteins. They are active in the daytime, spend most of their lives in trees, build a nest in hollows or among branches. In one brood there are 3-4 cubs (maximum - 6). Pregnancy for about a month. During the year, apparently, one female reproduces 2-3 times. All excellent proteins have long been contained local residents in captivity as funny and cuddly tame animals. They are sold in large numbers for zoos and individual hobbyists.

Despite the kinship with fine squirrels, the two species of a separate genus Sundasciurus are sharply separated in their way of life. These squirrels live in the forests of Indonesia and the Malacca Peninsula mainly on land and feed mainly on insects and other invertebrates.

Protein crumbs(genus Nannosciurus) - small animals. The body length is only 7-10 cm, the bushy tail is slightly shorter. Despite the "mouse" size, the general appearance of animals is consistent with the usual ideas about proteins. The short and soft fur of the animals is similar in texture to velveteen. The coloration of the dorsal side is usually from grayish to brown with a golden tint. The ventral side is yellowish-brown, sometimes almost red. The tail is dark in color, and some squirrels are bordered by a white stripe. Various kinds of black and white stripes on the sides of the head are characteristic.

Black-eared baby(N. melanotis) lives in Java, Kalimantan and Sumatra.

The remaining 4 species of this genus are common in the Philippine Islands. All crumb squirrels prefer dense forests, often in the mountains at an altitude of 1500-1700 m above sea level. They lead a predominantly arboreal lifestyle, similar to other squirrels. Sometimes they descend to the ground, running along fallen trunks in search of some species of mushrooms that are especially tasty for them. Squirrels-crumbs are found in 3-4 animals together, which, going down to the lower branches of trees, look at the person with curiosity. These proteins reproduce at any time of the year (cubs hatch up to three times a year).

Dremomis(genus Dremomys) resemble ordinary squirrels in appearance and size. From above, they are dark, grayish brown, and from the ventral side, they are white, gray or orange. There is a thin white ring around the eyes. D. lokriach has bright rufous spots on the thighs. 5 species of this group are common in the forests of Nepal, southern Tibet and China, Assam, Burma, Thailand, Indochina and Malacca, on the islands of Kalimantan and Taiwan. In the mountains, dremomis reaches almost the upper limit of tree vegetation, and sometimes they are found among shrubs and crooked forests, at an altitude of 3400 m above sea level. Usually they lead an arboreal lifestyle, but they also spend a lot of time on the ground or in the shrub layer of the forest. They often live in the same places as fine squirrels. A nest is arranged in hollows or in the lower part of the crown up to a height of 5 m. 1-2 times a year, the female gives birth to offspring of 3-4 (up to 6) squirrels.

Birdmoore squirrel(Menetes berdmorei) is similar in appearance to our squirrel, but slightly smaller. Its mass is about 180-200 g. The dense and soft fur of the dorsal side is grayish-brown, the head and sides are gray, the ventral side is yellowish-white. A black and light brown strip is stretched along the sides. The bushy tail is dark, similar in color to the back.

The Birdmour squirrel is common in Burma, Thailand and the Indochina and Malacca peninsulas. Inhabits dense forests, forest edges, bushes near rice fields, rocks overgrown with bushes. In the mountains it rises to a height of 1200 m. Spends most of the time on the ground, although it can perfectly climb trees. On the outskirts of rice fields, among thickets of bamboo and tall grasses with thorny bushes, it can multiply strongly and cause damage to the crop. The animals become especially active before sunset, when the heat subsides, but it is still light. They nest in low hollows and in ground shelters. They breed 2-3 times a year. The number of cubs can be up to 6, but usually no more than 4.

Long-nosed squirrel(Rhinosciurus laticaudatus) is similar in size to our squirrel, the tail is about half the length of the body. The coloration of the top is red-brown, the sides are light brown, the ventral side is almost white. The short tail is fluffy, dark in color with a white end. The elongated muzzle and long, elongated lower incisors, which act as forceps when the squirrel grabs insects (the basis of its nutrition), is very characteristic. In addition, the long-nosed squirrel eats fruit. The chewing teeth of the animal are very large. A long tongue can protrude far out of the mouth, which helps this squirrel to get out of all kinds of cracks and crevices of ants, termites and small beetles.

The long-nosed squirrel is an inhabitant of the forests of southern Malacca and the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Spends a lot of time on the ground, but can walk well in trees. Nests are located more often in ground shelters (among windbreaks, rocks and stones) or in low hollows.

Sulawesi squirrel(Hyosciurus heinrichi) - large (body length 20-25 cm, tail 10-13 cm) and also very long-nosed, living in the mountains of the island of Sulawesi in the forests at an altitude of 1700-2300 m.The color is almost entirely dark brown, and only on the abdominal a white stripe extends from the throat to the abdomen. Characterized by a very long and soft fur, well-developed vibrissae. It arranges nests in holes, which the animals themselves dig under the roots of trees. Despite such a tendency "to the ground", this squirrel spends a lot of time among the bushes and in the crowns of low trees.

Squirrel(Rheithrosciurus macrotis) is a giant among squirrels.

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Body length is from 30 to 53 cm, tail is somewhat shorter, weight is from 1 to 2 kg. The color is very elegant: the dorsal side is light chocolate or chestnut brown, a wide dark brown stripe stretches along the light yellowish-white sides. The cheeks are gray, the front legs are in dark "gloves", the hind legs are bright brown. The ventral side is white, a very fluffy dark tail, as if frosty due to the fact that the ends of the dark hairs covering it are white or light gray. The long ears are decorated with tassels.

The squirrel is common on the island of Kalimantan in forest areas. She spends most of the time on the ground, although she can also walk well in trees. The animal makes a nest in low-lying hollows, among stones, rocks and a windbreak - on the surface of the earth. Nutrition similar to typical woody proteins, especially young bamboo shoots. Sometimes it can harm plantations and gardens, eating bark of young shoots, buds and flowers of trees.

Protein(genus Sciurus) is the central group of the family, if not in value, then in popularity and in the number of species. Common squirrel(S. vulgaris) everyone knows.

The idea of ​​it is quite consistent in general outline and for the remaining 54 species of this genus. The body length of the squirrel is 20-32 cm, the tail length is 19-31 cm.The weight is from 180 to 1000 g. The color varies not only from species to species, but also within the same species, depending on the region, season, age, or simply on the individual animal. Suffice it to point out that the common squirrel can be red, ashy, almost black, etc. Most Sciurus species do not have tufts on their ears. They are found only in the common squirrel and in the North American (S. aberti). Squirrels of temperate latitudes molt twice a year, but the tail molts only once during this period. Winter fur in squirrels from cold regions is very different from summer fur.

All proteins feed on a variety of plant foods: wood seeds, berries and fruits, nuts, mushrooms, buds and shoots, bark and lichens. Animal feed is added to plant food: insects and other small invertebrates, eggs of birds, lizards and snakes, chicks and even small rodents and lizards.

The common squirrel, like other species of this genus, is a typically arboreal animal. She perfectly climbs the branches and easily jumps from one tree to another. If necessary, the squirrel can jump from the top of a tall tree to the ground without harm to itself. She makes a nest in the hollows or branches of trees. The nest of branches has the shape of a ball with a side entry. From the inside, such a nest (gayno) is lined with soft plant material. There are known cases of squirrels arranging their shelters in birdhouses and even in human buildings.

Common squirrel as well as North American gray squirrel(S. carolinensis) and fox squirrel(S. niger) calves are born twice a year, during the spring and summer. Pregnancy lasts 38 to 44 days. An ordinary squirrel has from 3 to 10 squirrels in one brood. The gray squirrel has from 1 to 5, most often 3-4. It is this amount that is characteristic of the overwhelming majority of species of this genus. Squirrels are born blind and naked. For 6 weeks, they are in the nest, feeding on their mother's milk. When the female leaves the nest, she covers the children with a soft lining. Therefore, in any attempt to feed the squirrels artificially, with the help of a nipple, one should remember that they need a constantly warm shelter. One month after birth, the squirrels open their eyes. They become adults 10-12 months after birth.

For some southern species of squirrels, in particular for the one that lives in our Transcaucasus persian squirrel(S. anomalus), reported up to three broods per year.

Various types of squirrels are distributed in almost all forests of northern Asia and Europe, and are also represented by a large number of species in North, Central and South America, from Canada to Argentina. Many of us are used to associating the image of a squirrel with a coniferous snow-covered forest. This is only partially true. Thus, the Persian squirrel is typical for walnut and chestnut forests with the participation of a variety of fruit species. The Latin name of this species is translated as "abnormal squirrel", which is associated with the absence of a small premolar tooth in its upper jaw. The Persian squirrel settles in hollows or even in shelters on the surface of the earth, under the roots of large trees.

Gray squirrel is predominantly associated with deciduous species. Many tropical species are common inhabitants of evergreen or partially deciduous (in the dry season) tropical landscapes with palms, lianas, etc.

The common squirrel has recently been acclimatized in the forests of the Crimea, the Caucasus and the Tien Shan. In many of these places, it multiplied rapidly and even in some places harms gardens and forests. The gray squirrel was introduced in the 18th century. to the UK. Since then, she has widely settled there and began to displace the original inhabitant - the common squirrel (the British call the latter a red squirrel). Many squirrels of temperate and northern latitudes are hunted for their skins. Our teleut squirrels. This is the name of large, mainly gray-tailed, squirrels from the pine forests of some regions of the Ob and Irtysh valleys, as well as the Kurgan and southern Tyumen regions. The color of the winter fur of the teleut is very light, silvery-gray, the tassels on the ears are red or blackish. The teleut is not a separate species or even a subspecies (two subspecies are distinguished among them), but a group of more or less uniform quality of fur within the range of our common squirrel.

Almost all squirrels, even those living in the tropics, are stored in hollows or under the roots of trees and in other secluded places with various feeds, which are used in the most hungry season. An ordinary squirrel in years of poor harvest of cones and other wood seeds can make distant mass migrations. According to the harvest of cones, it is possible to predict the years "fruitful" in terms of protein. Squirrels are hunted for more than just furs. In the tropics, where the skin of the protein is of no value, they are mostly persecuted because of the delicious meat.

Dwarf squirrels(genus Microsciurus) are small in size (body length is about 15 cm, tail is slightly longer), in general proportions they are similar to typical squirrels. The color of the 17 known species is very diverse, there are very bright and beautiful ones. Thus, M. boquetensis living in the forests on the slopes of the Chiriqui volcano in Panama has bright red fur. This group is widespread in the forests of Central and South America.

Furrow-cutting proteins(genus Syntheosciurus) is the only group among the neotropical species of the family, which has longitudinal grooves on the front side of the incisors. These are small animals with thick and long fur. The belly side is beautiful orange in color, the back is dark reddish-olive. Only a few specimens of each of the two species of the genus are known. S. brochus comes from Panama and S. poaensis from Costa Rica. These rare animals are found in remote and poorly studied mountain tropical forests at an absolute altitude of 2000-2200 m.

Genus midge squirrels(Sciurillus) monotypic, completely unrelated to other American proteins. The midge squirrel (Sciurillus pusillus) is the smallest animal of the family in the New World, only 10-11 cm long.

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- (Sciuridae) ** * * Squirrels are distributed almost all over the world from tundra to tropical forests, but absent in the Australian region, Madagascar, in the southern part of South America. Their origin, apparently, is associated with the tropics of the eastern ... ... The life of animals

Squirrels Common squirrel Scientific classification Kingdom: Animals Type ... Wikipedia

Squirrels Scientific Classification ... Wikipedia

- (Sciuridae), a family of rodents. Known since the Miocene. L. body 6 60 cm. 25 genera (according to other systems, up to 39): squirrels, fine-toed ground squirrels (unity, species), chipmunks, ground squirrels, marmots, prairie dogs, etc. Approx. 230 species, temperate, subtropical. and tropical. ... ... Biological encyclopedic dictionary

Protein family- 11.3. Squirrel family Sciuridae Squirrels, chipmunks, marmots and ground squirrels, a variety of rodents with a bushy tail and rather large eyes. Paws with long toes and claws. Daytime squirrels, and they are easy to spot even in places where they ... ... Animals of Russia. Directory

- (Sciuridae) family of mammals of the order of rodents. B. include animals that are diverse in appearance and way of life, united by the unity of origin and the similarity of the anatomical structure. The family includes 47 genera, ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Their; pl. The family of mammals of the order of rodents, which includes the squirrel, flying squirrel, gopher, marmot, chipmunk, etc. * * * squirrel family of mammals of the order of rodents. About 230 species, widespread. Squirrels include squirrels, ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Family: Sciuridae Gray, 1821 = Squirrels

The sizes of representatives of the squirrel family are variable: from small to medium. Body length from 6 (mouse squirrel) to 60 cm (marmots). In appearance, representatives of the family can generally be divided into 2 types: similar, on the one hand, with well-known proteins, on the other, with gophers. The eyes are rather large. The limbs are well developed; the hind ones are usually longer than the front ones, but not more than 2 times. The hind limbs are five-fingered, the front four- or five-fingered. The fourth toe on the front and hind legs is the longest. Fingers with sharp claws. The length of the tail varies from short to long (longer than the body). The tail is always densely covered with hair, sometimes long with a brush at the end. The hair is dense and soft, relatively high or very thin, bristle-like. Its color is one-color or with stripes and spots, varies from black and white to red or dark dirty yellow. Nipples from 2 pairs in some tropical and tree squirrels to 6 pairs in some Neoarctic ground squirrels.

Skull with well-developed postorbital processes. The bony auditory drums are relatively small, rounded in shape. The incisal holes are usually short. The interorbital space is wide. Zygomatic arches strongly or weakly spaced. The bony palate is rather wide, sometimes extending slightly caudal to the last cheek teeth. Dental formula = 20 - 22. Cheek teeth with roots; brachiodont or gipselodontny type. The tibia and tibia do not fuse.

Distributed throughout the globe, with the exception of the Australian region, Madagascar, southern South America (Patagonia, Chile, most of Argentina), polar regions and some deserts of the Arabia and ARE peninsula.

They inhabit a wide variety of landscapes: forests, open plains, deserts, tundra, mountains, from the tropics to the Arctic. They lead a terrestrial and arboreal lifestyle. They are active mainly during the day. They feed mainly on various plant objects, sometimes insects and small vertebrates. Some species hibernate. The duration of pregnancy is 22-45 days. Females give birth to 1 to 15 naked and blind cubs. Long-distance migrations were recorded for some species. They lead a solitary, sometimes colonial lifestyle.

A number of species (squirrel, marmot) are of commercial importance. The family includes agricultural pests (a number of ground squirrels) and keepers of dangerous human diseases (some marmots, ground squirrels). The family has 39 genera (228 species.

Family of squirrels, Sciuridae: Spatial-ethological structure

A spatial-ethological structure with a system of aggregations of individual plots is found in some species of terrestrial squirrels (for example, Xerus inauris) and a number of species of arboreal squirrels, including Sciurus niger, S. carolinensis, S. aberti, Callosciurus erythraeus.

So, the most general features of the spatial-ethological structure of the settlements of the representatives of the family Sciuridae considered above include the following: (1) the existence of aggregations of males and females with overlapping individual areas, spatially isolated from other similar formations; (2) a low degree of individualization of the habitats of individuals within the aggregations; (3) the presence of a protected "core" ("group territory") within aggregations (for example, in X. inauris) or individual areas of females (for example, in S. aberti, S. carolinensis, F. pennanti) or the absence of a protected area as such (as, for example, S. niger, C. erythraeus); (4) lack of territorial behavior in males (with the exception of species such as F. pennanti) and an increase in the area of ​​their habitat during the reproductive period; (5) predominantly aggressive interactions between adults during the breeding season; (6) formation of a dominance hierarchy among males competing for females; (7) lack of stable paired bonds (the predominant breeding strategy is polygyny or promiscuity); Q3) resettlement of young stock in a short time after leaving brood burrows; (9) redistribution of individuals with the end of the reproductive period and the formation of aggregations from related and unrelated individuals.