# 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. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![European Ground Squirrel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/European_souslik_%28Spermophilus_citellus%29_Obrovisko.jpg&width=800) Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:European_souslik_%28Spermophilus_citellus%29_Obrovisko.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Spermophilus ## 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 - **Alarm Caller:** European Ground Squirrels can emit high-pitched alarm calls to warn their colony about predators approaching from land or air. - **Speedy Retreat:** European Ground Squirrels can dash quickly into their extensive underground burrow systems to escape danger from predators. - **Food Courier:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — A common predator of ground squirrels. - **Eaten by:** [Common Buzzard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Hibernating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/hibernating): Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Watch from a distance and don't disturb their burrows. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European Ground Squirrel? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is European Ground Squirrel? 18-24 cm ### How much does European Ground Squirrel weigh? 0.2-0.4 kg ### How long does European Ground Squirrel live? 2-4 years ### How fast can European Ground Squirrel move? 40 km/h ### What does European Ground Squirrel eat? These squirrels munch on various plants, seeds, and insects found in their grassy homes. ### Where is European Ground Squirrel usually found? Grasslands ### How does European Ground Squirrel hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Tiergehege Kaisergarten Oberhausen](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tiergehege-kaisergarten-oberhausen) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [European Ground Squirrel: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-ground-squirrel)