In this study, the hibernation of ground squirrels ( Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) distributed in Central Anatolia were studied in laboratory and field conditions. According to our findings, the hibernation period of ground squirrels began at the end of August and terminated in mid February. The longest and shortest hibernation bouts of ground squirrels were found to be 100 and 21 days, respectively. In this period, the longest ununterrupted hibernation was 13 days. Ground squirrels gained weight during the early months of summer and then lost weight constantly throughout hibernation period. No marked periodic cycles were observed in the periods of weight loss, and ground squirrels lost an average of 28% of their total body weight during this period.

In this study, the hibernation of ground squirrels ( Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) distributed in Central Anatolia were studied in laboratory and field conditions. According to our findings, the hibernation period of ground squirrels began at the end of August and terminated in mid February. The longest and shortest hibernation bouts of ground squirrels were found to be 100 and 21 days, respectively. In this period, the longest ununterrupted hibernation was 13 days. Ground squirrels gained weight during the early months of summer and then lost weight constantly throughout hibernation period. No marked periodic cycles were observed in the periods of weight loss, and ground squirrels lost an average of 28% of their total body weight during this period.