European Ground Squirrel

Spermophilus citellus

The European Ground Squirrel is a small, cute animal that loves to dig and live in burrows. They have fluffy tails and enjoy munching on seeds and plants in the grasslands.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The European Ground Squirrel has a slender body with yellowish-grey fur, often speckled with darker spots. Its tail is relatively short and bushy, distinguishing it from tree squirrels. It features large, dark eyes and small, rounded ears.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilySciuridaeGenusSpermophilus

European Ground Squirrel

Interesting facts

Some colonies can have hundreds of squirrels living together in a big underground community.

Their burrows are surprisingly tidy; they often push old bedding and waste out of the entrances.

Their teeth grow constantly, so they must chew on tough foods to keep them from getting too long.

They often sunbathe! European Ground Squirrels sometimes lie flat on warm rocks to soak up sunshine.

Special abilities

European Ground Squirrels can emit high-pitched alarm calls to warn their colony about predators approaching from land or air.

European Ground Squirrels can dash quickly into their extensive underground burrow systems to escape danger from predators.

European Ground Squirrels have expandable cheek pouches that allow them to carry large amounts of gathered food back to their burrows.

Measurements & details

Length: 18-24 cm
Weight: 0.2-0.4 kg
Lifespan: 2-4 years
Top Speed: 40 km/h
Litter Size: 3-8
Gestation: 25-28 days

Diet & Feeding

These squirrels munch on various plants, seeds, and insects found in their grassy homes.

Primary Foods

Grasses
Seeds
Roots
Leaves
Insects
Small invertebrates

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

A common predator of ground squirrels.

eaten by

Common Buzzard

Buteo buteo

A bird of prey that hunts ground squirrels.

eaten by

European Polecat

Mustela putorius

A nocturnal predator that targets burrows.

eats

Sheep's Fescue

Festuca ovina

A primary food source of grasses for them.

Traits

Furry

Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Burrowing

Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.

Grassland

Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Hibernating

Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity.