Squirrels of the World

202 Spermophilopsis leptodactylus

Spermophilopsis leptodactylus

(Lichtenstein, 1823)

Long-Clawed Ground Squirrel

description: The long-clawed ground squirrel lacks exter-
nal ears, and its upperparts are sand yellow to grayish yel-
low. The underparts are white. The terminal half of the tail
is black underneath and light above, with a black fringe
around the outside. There are two molts each year: the sum-
mer pelage is rough and bristly, and the winter pelage is
long and silky. The several pairs of vibrissae on the ventral
side of the body are also characteristic of this species. The
feet are thickly furred all year long. As its name indicates,
this species of squirrel has exceptionally long claws, more
than 10 mm in length. Along with Hyosciurus, Spermophilop-
sis possesses the most well-developed claws.

size: Sex not stated—HB 230–270 mm; T 27–81 mm; HF 59–
62 mm.

distribution: S. leptodactylus is found on loess steppes,
from the southeastern shore of the Caspian Sea east to Lake
Balkhash (Kazakhstan), including Turkmenistan, Uzbeki-

stan, southeastern Kazakhstan, northeastern Iran, north-

western Afghanistan, and western Tajikistan.

geographic variation: Three subspecies are recognized.

S. l. leptodactylus—the type locality is Karata, in “Russian

Turkestan” (= Dagestan, Russia). See description above.

S. l. bactrianus—northern Afghanistan. The upperparts are

pale fawn. The top of the head is slightly darker and

browner. The rump is tinged with rufous. The tail is col-

ored like the rump, and the tail also has a subterminal

black ring and a pale fulvous tip. The outer surface of the

limbs is bright fulvous.

S. l. heptopotamicus—“sandy deserts of Taukum [in Kazakh-

stan] on the left bank of the river Ili and near Bakanas;

Spermophilopsis Blasius, 1884

This genus contains a single species of ground squirrel.

Spermophilopsis leptodactylus. Photo courtesy K. A. Rogovin.

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