The Daurian ground squirrel(Spermophilus dauricus)is the main animal model used for hibernation research in China.This species has many striking physiological adaptive characteristics,such as an adaptation to extreme hypothermia,a low metabolism,resistance to ischemia-reperfusion injury,disuse muscular atrophy,and unique mechanisms of body fat accumulation.These characteristics make the Daurian ground squirrel a unique and significant reference model with research value in clinical and space flight applications.The application of the Daurian ground squirrel as a model animal will help us to further explore the physiological mechanisms mentioned above.This review summarizes the biological characteristics and research values of Daurian ground squirrels in clinical and space flight applications.We also introduce the current progress made in the breeding and experimental animalization of Daurian ground squirrels for laboratory and field research,and advise on precautions that need to be considered during the experimental animalization of this species.