Alashan Ground Squirrel vs

Spermophilus alashanicus compared with Hygrophorus cossus

Key Differences

• Alashan Ground Squirrel is Least Concern while is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Alashan Ground Squirrel
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Sciuridae (Squirrels)	Hygrophoraceae
Genus	Spermophilus	Hygrophorus
Species	Spermophilus alashanicus	Hygrophorus cossus

Conservation Status

Alashan Ground Squirrel

LC — Least Concern

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Alashan Ground Squirrel
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Alashan Ground Squirrel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 4 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Alashan Ground Squirrel

The Alashan Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus alashanicus) is a species in the genus Spermophilus. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Hygrophorus cossus is a waxcap fungus in the family Hygrophoraceae, assessed as Critically Endangered (CR). It grows in old-growth forest habitats, particularly in association with ancient trees, and is named for its distinctive soapy or waxy odour. Its critically endangered status reflects extreme rarity and the near-total loss of suitable old-growth forest habitat.