Arctic

In the frigid embrace of the Arctic, the ground squirrel has evolved an extraordinary hibernation strategy: a deep slumber that defies the limits of mammalian life. But as the Arctic climate warms, this delicate dance of survival is facing a new threat. Studies suggest that extended periods of hibernation are disrupting the timing of reproduction, leaving the population vulnerable. With dwindling mating opportunities, the future of the Arctic ground squirrel hangs in the balance, its fate intertwined with the ever-changing Arctic ecosystem.