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European Ground Squirrel


European Ground Squirrel
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 710 W: 3 N: 2252] (8028)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-07-17
Categories: Nature
Camera: Nikon D-5000, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG APO HSM, @ ISO 400
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Mammals from the Middle East [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-07-20 1:33
Viewed: 237
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Spermophilus citellus (European Ground Squirrel, European Souslik) [in Turk. Trakya Gelengisi, Trakya Yer Sincabı

Today another shot from Turkish Thrace (European Turkey) which I encountered with him near Ürünlü (Kırklareli) while he was digging a nest tunnel.. Tomorrow I will be away from TL again since I will go to Black Sea region approx. 20 days.

TFL and Have a nice time!
Cheers,

©Bayram GÖÇMEN, Ege University, Faculty of Science. All Rights Reserved.

*****************************

The European ground squirrel belongs to a genus commonly referred to as the sousliks, with representatives spread throughout the northern hemisphere from California to China. Ground squirrels tend to have stout, low-slung bodies, resting upon short legs, and a well-furred tail measuring about a third the length of the body. The European ground squirrel generally has short yellowish fur but the back is tinged distinctly grey with dense cream spots. All species within the genus have sizeable internal cheek pouches for carrying food.

The European ground squirrel is endemic to central and eastern Europe, from the Czech Republic in the northwest to European Turkey in the southeast. Historically, its western boundary extended into southeast Germany. An inhabitant of open landscape without dense vegetation cover, the European ground squirrel is normally found in short-grass habitats on light, well-drained soils. This includes a range of natural and artificial habitats such as steppe grassland, pasture, vineyards, sports fields and golf courses.

Although the European ground squirrel lives in burrows in loosely structured populations, it is not an exceptionally social or territorial species. In common with all ground-dwelling squirrels, it is mostly active during the hours of sunlight, devoting most of its attention to foraging for food. Roots, seeds, shoots and flowers comprise the bulk of this species' diet, but occasionally small invertebrates will also be taken. However, as an important part of the food chain itself, it is commonly preyed upon by larger predators such as polecats and birds of prey. During the summer months, there is a rise in foraging activity as each ground squirrel attempts to accumulate as much stored fat as possible before the onset of hibernation. Unlike many other ground squirrels, it does not stock-pile food but must rely on doubling its body mass to see it through the long winter. Entering hibernation near the beginning of September, European ground squirrels do not appear from the underground burrows again until late March. Soon after emerging there is a scramble amongst the males to gain access to the reproductively active females. This period of breeding lasts three to four weeks, with each female mating with only one male. Following 25 days of development in the womb, the females give birth to a litter of 4 to 11 young which receive milk for around 30 days before being weaned. The young reach maturity after the following hibernation, but not all will breed in their first year.

References:
1. Budak, A., Göçmen, B., Mermer, A. & Kaya, U (2002). Omurgalılar Sistematiği (Vertebrate Systematics). Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 181, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 268 pp. (ISBN 975-483-549-7) [In Turkish].
2. Wikipedia: Click here for more info on the species.
3. ARKive.
Sharpshooter, manujmehta, mesquens1, daisydaisy, Jonela, milas, jjanczyk, tanburi, kanton, maziero, burak28, neusser0204, Fortuna has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Bayram
good capture of this ground squirrel
not easy to capture and good details of his face
good note for us
ciao
Lucio

hello Bayram
how are you?
nice shot of the squirrel
fine exposure and nice light
good colours

tfs

regards
Manuj Mehta

Hi Bayram,
Good spotting! It blends in so well with it's surroundings. Nice clear capture, the exposure looks just right too. Another excellent upload.

TFS,
Scott.

Bom dia Bayram,
Scientific knowledge and sophisticated artistry is your work here at TL.
One more great post, the little guy bettween the green of leaf is a great composition. Great light too.
TFS
Raimundo

Lovely lovely squirrel.
Excellent scientific note as usual.
A wonderful work. Very nice light
Beautiful presentation
Compliments
Best regards

Hi Bayram,

Great capture of this small squirrel the details are brilliant great colours well done.

Regards
Jon

Ciao Bayram, great capture of lovely creature in nice pose, splendid natural colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2720 W: 405 N: 2973] (32719)
  • [2009-07-20 10:07]

merhama hocam...
uzun zamandır aravermek zorundaydım, işler yoğunluğu nedeniyle....
bu arada güzel fotolarınızdan uzak kaldım, bu güzel kareye yetiştim, güzel bir anı ölümsüzleştirmişsiniz...selam ve saygılar...

Hello,
Beautiful photo!
The squirrel looks so sweet. Lovey catch!
Great sharpness, lovely composition and presentation.
TFS

Selam Üstadım,
Çok sevimli bir poz.Doğal ortamı içinde...
ışık ve gölgeler doğallığı daha bir alımlı kılmış. Teşekkürler
Selahattin E

Yasou file Bayram!
Outstanding capture of this small squirrel !
pretty and nice pose!fine lighting and natural
colours!
Tfs Selamlar
Kostas

Hi Bayram!

Interesting and curious squirrel.
I like the POV and details.
Nice capture!
Congratulations.

Um abraço,
Paulo.

Hi Bayram
How are you doing?
The best part about this picture is the sand on the face of the squirrel!
Nicely taken
David

Merhaba Hocam,
Son derece sevimli bir portre olmuş Üstad,
Eline sağlık.
Selamalr,

hAyAti

Hi Bayram,
we have some similar looking critters here too, and everyone calls them gophers, but they are more correctly called Richardson's Ground Squirrel. Though having different names (citellus vs. richardsonii) they seem to look alike.
Good sharp shot with fine details.
Cheers
Otto

Merhaba Sayın Hocam,
Köy çocuğu olup bu sevimliyi tanımayan olmaz...
İnsanlara alışkın olan bu hayvanlar Erciyes de
piknik yapan insanların ayakları dibinde dolaşırken
şahit oldum!! Doğal ortamında olağanüstü bir çekim.
Selam,sevgiler.
Dr.Seyfettin Güner

Hi Bayram, good details.
Great capture. Thank you for your note.
Ciao Marilena

Bayram hocam tekrar merhaba
Harika yakalamışsınız yaramazı
Cezayı neden yediğimi ben de anlamadım, bir üye kafayı bana takmıştı, cevap da vermedim ama bana ceza aldırdı
Kendinize iyi bakın, iyi çalışmalar
Burak

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 592 W: 0 N: 957] (4596)
  • [2009-08-28 8:31]

Merhaba Bayram MF,
what a cute little creature. The eyes are pretty and you have captured it very well. all features are seen along with the genuine surroundings.

Regards,
Foozi

Hello MF Bayram
a lovely natural shot. Well captured considering the shade and good colour and detail.Good lighting too. The presentation frame also very good!
Best regards Siegfried

Excellent shot of our little friend!
Lighting and contrast are very well balanced!

Congratulations and TFS
Sergio

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