European Souslik (Spermophilus citellus): the Little Sentinel of the Steppe

A small head pops out of a burrow in the short grass, looks around, and a moment later the animal stands upright on its hind legs, perfectly still, watching the sky. The European souslik, or European ground squirrel, is one of the most charming inhabitants of the dry grasslands of Dobrogea.

Description

The souslik is a small, compact ground squirrel, sandy grey brown above with fine pale speckles, lighter below, with large dark eyes, small ears and a short, slightly bushy tail. Its colour blends perfectly with dry grass and bare soil, and its strong claws make it an excellent digger.

Where it lives

The European souslik lives only in Central and Southeastern Europe, from Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary to Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and European Turkey. In Romania its range is split into several areas: Dobrogea, the south and east of the country along the Danube and between the Prut and Siret rivers, and the west, in Banat and Crisana.

It needs open land with short grass, where it can see predators coming: steppe, grazed pastures, the edges of fields and even grassy areas near roads and airfields. When the grass grows tall, it moves away.

Life in the colony

Sousliks live in colonies, each animal with its own network of burrows. They are active by day, feeding on grasses, seeds, roots and flowers, and also on insects. When danger appears, a sharp whistle warns the whole colony, and every animal disappears underground in a second. Their predators are many: birds of prey, foxes, polecats, snakes, and in Dobrogea also the Long-legged Buzzard and other raptors of the steppe.

Hibernation

The souslik is a true hibernator. It spends the cold months, from late summer or autumn until spring, asleep deep in its burrow. During hibernation its body temperature drops from about 37°C to only a few degrees above zero, and its heart beats just a few times a minute. In spring it wakes thin and hungry, and the colony quickly comes back to life.

Status and threats

The European souslik is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is strictly protected in the European Union. Its numbers have fallen sharply across its range, and it died out in Germany; in Poland it survives today thanks to reintroductions. The main threats are the ploughing of old grasslands and the end of traditional grazing: without sheep and cattle, the grass grows tall and the colonies vanish. Agricultural chemicals and the fragmentation of the remaining grasslands add to the pressure.

Interesting facts

• Sousliks are an important food for birds of prey of the steppe, so where the colonies disappear, these birds suffer too.
• Standing upright on its hind legs is the souslik’s lookout position, and it makes it a favourite subject for wildlife photographers.
• Adult males usually go into hibernation first and wake up first in spring, ready for the breeding season.

See it with us

In Dobrogea you can photograph sousliks on our private photo tour with European Bee-eaters, where colonies live near the hides. Read more about Dobrogea and its wildlife, or browse the mammals of the Danube Delta and Dobrogea.