[2] A generic revision of the genus was undertaken in 2007 which helped resolve the uncertainty as to whether this species should be considered a subspecies of Spermophilus erythrogenys.

[3] Brandt's ground squirrel is found from the Lake Zaysan region in eastern Kazakhstan, southwards and westwards along the Tian Shan mountain range to the vicinity of Almaty, on both sides of the Kazakh-Chinese border.

It lives either communally or singly in burrows where it hibernates in winter and aestivates in excessive summer heat.

The diet is primarily vegetarian consisting of seasonal plant growth[6] including young shoots of certain shrubs, bulbs and tubers.

Unlike some other related species, Brandt's ground squirrel seldom stands erect on its two hind legs and its alarm cry is a quiet squeak.