Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 08/11/2008 - 03:41
Forums
Nuvuk Archaeology Studies

Hi Frank,

I really enjoyed reading your lemmings-eye view journals.  Their burrows look a lot like the siksik jburrows I saw at Toolik Lake.  We saw no lemmings, although I understand there are lemmings around there.  What I'm wondering is  if you see siksiks?

Keep up the good journaling!

CathyWink

 

click here for a link to siksiks

 http://www.nhptv.org/NATUREWORKS/arcticgroundsquirrel.htm

 

 

Mon, 08/11/2008 - 06:58

Frank Kelley

Hi Cathy,
Thanks for the question about siksiks. They sound very interesting and fun. The link you sent along had great info. We do not have them up here in the Barrow area as far as I know, inland at Atqasuk, maybe, I will check with others about that.
From reading the page you linked to, there appears to be many of their favorite foods, the problem would probably be getting down 3 ft for a burrow. I was out with another researcher yesterday working on the edge of the tundra and the lagoon, checking depth to permafrost and the deepest spot was only 40cm (16") so I think their living quarters would be a little chilly during their long winter nap.
Do you know the depth to permafrost where you are? 
Hope your work is going well, I've been busy and I have not checked your journal in awhile, hopefully tonight.
Enjoy!!
Frank 

Mon, 08/11/2008 - 08:06

Catherine Campbell

Hi Frank,
I'm home now :)  and let me say , it's been quite an adjustment!  I still need to write my return journal since I've been traveling and getting caught up on things here in Michigan.
The siksiks at Toolik have very shallow burrows - the permafrost is actually very close to the surface - we measured the minimum of 2 cm in the inter-tussock space which is highly insulated by moss to 40 cm (about 16 inches) at the frostboils.  Another interesting fact about the high Arctic siksiks is that they are hibernating in individual shallow burrows at temperatures well below freezing.  They wake up periodically, warm up a bit, then go back to hibernating. Researchers at Toolik Lake and other LTER sites are working on understanding the mechanisms  siksiks use to keep from freezing to death and those used for the periodic warm up episodes.
 Cathy

Wed, 08/13/2008 - 18:00

Frank Kelley

Hi Cathy,
Glad to hear that you made it back and are working through the adjustment, I'm busy as can be and excited to be heading home too. 
Thanks for the siksiks info and the permafrost depth.  
I'll need to learn more about those little guys, very interesting life!!
Best wishes for a great school year. Hope everything goes well.
Frank