11 February 2014 Arctic Ground Squirrels

The research project I am involved in will be studying hibernation in Arctic Ground Squirrels. Today we visited the University of Alaska Fairbanks and saw some captive squirrels which scientists use for a variety of laboratory experiments. More on the details of the exciting research that is being conducted, but here are some photos of a squirrel that is hibernating which we were able to hold in our hands. It was cool to the touch, and taking only a few breaths per minute. These little hibernators are Super Cool!!!

Here is a ground squirrel in it's native summer habitat. Photo by Alicia Gillean (PolarTREC 2013), Courtesy of ARCUS