BIOECOLOGY OF THE YELLOW WORM (Spermophilus fulvus L.)

Abstract

The yellow ground squirrel is widespread in the deserts and semi-deserts of the southern Trans-Volga region, Kazakhstan and Central Asia, including Volsk in the North, the lower reaches of the Ili River, Iran and Afghanistan in the east, almost the entire plain region of Central Asia in the south, as well as the Aral Sea islands. The most important factor in adaptation to the living conditions of the yellow ground squirrel in regions where hot weather prevails, dry deserts and semi-deserts is summer hibernation. It is one of the few species that has survived a long period of evolutionary process, consuming moisture and dewdrops on green plants to satisfy their needs in the absence of water. In most regions where the yellow ground squirrel is widespread, the growing season of plants is very short, they grow quickly and dry out completely in early summer under the influence of severe drought and high temperatures. Thus, the yellow ground squirrel lives on the moisture of the plant fiber.