Home › Mammalia › Sciuridae › Spotted Souslik (Spermophilus suslicus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Spotted Souslik (Spermophilus suslicus)
Spermophilus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Russia
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Steppe grasslands
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Rodentia
FAMILY
Sciuridae
GENUS
Spermophilus
📋 Description
SIZE
20-25 cm body, 200-400 g
COLORATION
Brown with white spots
ADAPTATIONS
Burrowing, hibernation, upright vigilance
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Steppe grasslands
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Russia
REPRODUCTION
4-8 young, 1 litter per year
DIET DETAILS
Grasses, seeds, insects
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, agriculture
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The spotted souslik lives in colonies and stands upright to watch for predators. It hibernates for 6-8 months.
2
It is an important prey species for steppe eagles and foxes.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Ukrainian steppe
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Look for small ground squirrels standing upright in steppe grasslands.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Spring-summer
