7 February 2017 Arctic Ground Squirrel Anyone?

Journal Entry

Day three of PolarTREC training is coming to a close. I am writing from my hotel room in Fairbanks, Alaska trying to figure out how to save and export my first video. I would like to include it in tonight's journal. We shall see if I have success. Stay tuned below!

We visited the Museum of the North today and heard a fabulous presentation on the Arctic Ground Squirrel. The squirrel has some very interesting physiology, plenty of which researchers are still trying to assess and understand. I am going to geek out a bit on the science here, but it's cool stuff, literally! The animal hibernates and can decrease it's metabolic rate so that it's heart beats only 1x per minute. It also uses lipids to ensure its blood doesn't freeze, as its core temperature can decrease to -2 degrees celsius. It hibernates for about half of the year during which time its brain is essentially devoid of any activity. Females awake from hibernation considerably later than do the males. PolarTREC researcher Jeanette Moore of UAF, is trying to discover what causes the mammal to awake from hibernation. I was really fascinated by the current research and understanding and enjoyed being able to hold a female squirrel in my own hands. This was a highlight of the day and with any luck my video will show the sweet little creature in its hibernating mode despite being passed around to a plethora of people! I will not be working with squirrels on my journey to Antarctica, but perhaps will encounter a penguin or two! Another PolarTREC teacher took the photo below during his journey to Antarctica and I thought it was an excellent picture. I can only hope my own photos will be half as good!

I end my night thinking of my family and friends, both new and old. Thank you for making my life so bright and wonderful.