314 Spermophilus xanthoprymnusand the limbs are dull yellow with pinkish buff. The tail is a
dull straw rust on the upper surface and lighter, with a suf-
fusion of rust, below.
size: Female—Mass 172–174 g at emergence.
Male—Mass 272–312 g at emergence.
Both sexes—HB 145–233 mm; T 33–35 mm.
distribution: This species is found in Turkey, extreme
western Armenia, and northwestern Iran.
geographic variation: None.
conservation: IUCN status—near threatened. Population
trend—decreasing.
habitat: Asia Minor ground squirrels inhabit areas with
shortgrass steppe vegetation, but they can also be found on
rolling rocky mountain slopes and in association with agri-
cultural grain fi elds.
natural history: This species is diurnal. Asia Minor
ground squirrels hibernate in underground burrows from
mid-August for adults, and a month later for juveniles. Males
emerge about 10 days earlier than females, in February or
March, and in much better body condition. Mating occurs
three to six days after the females’ emergence, and the sea-
son lasts for three to four weeks. Mating occurs below-
ground, and a copulatory plug forms in the reproductive
tract of the female, due to the coagulation of semen. Physical
combat among males occurs during the breeding season.
One litter is produced each year, beginning with the second
year of life. The young are born in the burrow after a gesta-
tion of 25–26 days and emerge from April to July, about 30
days after birth. The litter size of S. xanthoprymnus averages
5.8 (range = 4–9) in captivity and 4.7 (range = 3–9) in the wild.
Juveniles appear to disperse from their natal area, and indi-
viduals live alone in a burrow within a larger colony. The
sex ratios of adults are female-biased, suggesting a high male
mortality rate due to male-biased natal dispersal and inter-
male aggression. Raptors are this species’ principal preda-
tors. Asia Minor ground squirrels have a loud whistle, given
when they are startled, and they seek burrows for refuge.
Burrows often have a rock near the entrance. Burrows may
drop precipitously and then wind to a terminal nest cham-
ber, which is often lined with grass and forbs. Short shallow
burrows may be used for escape cover. Asia Minor ground
squirrels are herbivores and feed on bulbs, roots, forbs,
seeds, and grain crops. They are not hunted or trapped, prob-
ably due to their small size, but they can be a localized pest
of grains and other crops.general references: Çolak and Özkurt 2002; Demirsoy
et al. 2006; Gür and Barlas 2006; Gür and Kart Gür 2005; Kart
Gür et al. 2009; Özkurt et al. 2007.Spermophilus xanthoprymnus. Photo courtesy Ebru Diker.