The playful ground squirrel of Lower Amudarya
2025-04-14 10:00:00 / News
Staff members of the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve, operating under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, have captured video footage of a yellow ground squirrel.
This animal is considered the largest species of ground squirrel in the country’s fauna. Its body length ranges from 232 to 389 mm, with a tail length of 64 to 120 mm. It inhabits desert and semi-desert areas and feeds on stems, leaves, buds, bulbs, and young shoots of plants. Its diet also includes tamarisk, camelthorn, saxaul, saltwort, sorghum, carrots and other vegetation.
For reference: The Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve was established on August 26, 2011. It is located in the Beruniy and Amu Darya districts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The reserve is home to 36 animal species, four of which are considered rare. Among the most commonly seen inhabitants are the Bukhara deer, jackal, jungle cat and tolai hare.