Too much lunch? Ground squirrel is rescued after getting stuck in its own hole

By The Siberian Times reporter

28 August 2014

Siberian 'suslik' needs human rescue from passing motorists on Olkhon island in Lake Baikal.

Out, out and away! Lucky ground squirrel is rescued by a couple of drivers. Picture: Tatiana PsihAl

A watchful couple notice the ground squirrel wedged in its hole in the middle of a dirt track on the popular tourist island. A female voice tells the driver to slow down and asks: 'What's up there?'

A male voice answers: 'Is he stuck?' His companion says: 'Let me have a look... we've got to help', and walks out of the car. As she examines the marooned creature in its hole, he shouts: 'Don't touch him Tan (Tanya), he can bite!'

She carefully studies the problem and when the man brings a blue cloth she uses it to help ease the creature out of its hole, avoiding his bites.

Finally she plucks out the ground squirrel which scurries for cover.

Too much lunch? Ground squirrel is rescued after getting stuck in its own hole

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I try to translate my precedent email :
I think this animal is a " spermophilus" (+ " seed eater")= ground squirrel= sousliks--> it is squirrel family
It live in tunnel hole underground and eat a lot in summer to get grease reserve to survie in winter (to hibernation).
It is interesting mammal and Researchers studie his metabolism.
I think "prairie dog" is Cynomys, an other animal which is not a squirrel of course..
(not easy for me to translate , sorry for my bad english!)

Jocelyne, FRANCE

30/08/2014 23:38

Bonjour Darwin, dear Darwin,

Je pense que cet animal est un spermophile("mangeur de graines") = écureuil terrestre= sousliks.
Il vit dans des terriers et mangent beaucoup en été, pour avoir des réserves pour survivre en hiver par hibernation. C'est un mammifère intéressant.
Je pense que le chien de pairie est un cynomus, donc un autre animal qui n'est pas un écureuil, en effet.
Sorry, i don't speak english very well..

Jocelyne, FRANCE

30/08/2014 22:00

It is NOT a squirrel. It is a prairie dog. They dig and live under the ground. squirrels normally live in trees.
A very small sub species of the squirrel family that lives in the desert, is called a Chipmunk, and it can live in the ground. you will never see a FAT squirrel. They need to run and move fast to stay alive. If they were fat, they would be slow, and make an easy meal for a wolf or a big cat.
In America Farmers, and ranchers hate prairie dogs, because they can be very destructive to crops and cattle can get broken legs from stepping in the holes of the prairie dog.

Darwin Hardy, Hurricane, Utah USA

30/08/2014 04:09

Cute! Siberian squirrels are gourmand ! Happy end.

Jocelyne, FRANCE

30/08/2014 03:00

i think it needs a diat lesson

mohimura, nepal

28/08/2014 13:42