Arctic Ground Squirrels must cope with a harsh environment that offers long, cold winters, strong winds, a short growing season, permafrost, poor drainage, and limited cover. The squirrels are, by necessity, dormant for seven months each year. Learn more about the Spermophilus parryii, more commonly known as an Arctic Ground Squirrel, in this easy-to-read species overview by the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.