Habitat
Where do Arctic Ground Squirrels live?
In the Boreal Forest
What do Arctic Ground Squirrels eat?
All parts of plants, seeds, berries, mushrooms, eggs and sometimes small vertebrates.
What do Arctic Ground Squirrels do during the day?
Look for food and sunbathe.
How many babies can they have at one time?
Between 5 and 10 babies
Name a predator of the Arctic Ground Squirrel
Golden eagle, hawk, falcons, wolves, grizzly bears, Arctic fox, Ermine and humans
What type of habitat do they prefer?
Open areas with grass and shrubs
Are they herbivores, carnivores or omnivores?
How do they communicate with each other?
What is a baby Arctic Ground Squirrel called?
a pup
What colour is their fur?
Light brown
What seasons are they most active?
Spring and Summer
What is their favourite food?
Dandelions or grass
What is hibernation?
A long sleep during the winter.
How long do they stay with their mother?
About 2 months
Can they see well?
Yes, they have good eyesight.
What do they do in the cold winter months?
What small vertebrates might they eat?
baby snowshoe hares, lemmings or even their own babies.
How long do the hibernate for?
About 9 months
What age do they become adults?
1 year old
How long can they live?
3 to 6 years in the wild.
What is their burrow used for?
To sleep, raise their young and store their food.
Who stores the food for their early wake up from winter hibernation?
Males/Boys
Who wakes up from hibernation first? The male or the female?
The Male Ground Squirrel
How do they care for their young?
By feeding them and protecting them in the burrow.
In First Nation Culture, who would be in charge of trapping Arctic Ground Squirrels?