Squirrels of the World

306 Spermophilus fulvus

decline in some areas. The yellow ground squirrel is one of
several rodents in the region—including the great gerbil
(Rhombomys opimus), the midday gerbil (Meriones meridianus),
and the little ground squirrel (S. pygmaeus)—that may main-
tain and transmit sylvatic (bubonic) plague. Interestingly,
the yellow ground squirrel has been reported to use bur-
rows of the great gerbil when available. S. fulvus hybridizes
with S. major. At least seven species of coccidians (Eimeria)
have been reported from S. fulvus.

general references: Bertolino 2009; Ermakov, Surin,
Titov, Tagiev, et al. 2002; Gage and Kosoy 2005; Herron, Cas-
toe, et al. 2004; Kashkarov and Lein 1927; Özkurt et al. 2007;
Tsytsulina, Formozov, and Sheftel 2008; Wilber et al. 1998.

Spermophilus major (Pallas, 1779)

Russet Ground Squirrel

description: Russet ground squirrels have a rather dark
ochre brown dorsum mottled with light whitish rust spots.
The tops of the head and the snout are often gray. A pro-

nounced yellow rust spot occurs below each eye. The sides

are ochre to rust. The venter is whitish to yellow to ochre.

The tail is ochre brown above and rust below.

size: Sex not stated—HB: 275 mm (253–320 mm); T 83.1 mm

(73–105 mm); Mass 500–570 g.

distribution: S. major occurs on the steppes between the

Volga and Irtysh rivers (from Russia south into northern Ka-

zakhstan), and it has been introduced to the northern Cau-

casus Mountains (Russia).

geographic variation: None.

conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population

trend—no information.

habitat: Russet ground squirrels are found on mixed

grassy plains, including steppes and agricultural plains.

They also occur in the forest-steppe zone and in more arid

habitats. They are expanding their range along roads and

rivers—using dams, grassy berms, and banks—and they

may also be enlarging their distribution by anthropogenic

introductions.

natural history: This species is diurnal. Russet ground

squirrels hibernate in burrows from mid-June (males) or Au-

gust (females and juveniles) until spring emergence some

6.5–8.5 months later. Mating occurs soon after emergence.

Spermophilus fulvus. Photo courtesy Sergey Cherenkov.

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