# Holarctic Ground Squirrels (*marmotini*) Holarctic Ground Squirrels are playful little creatures that love to dig in the dirt! They live in groups and are always on the lookout for tasty plants to munch on. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** They mainly live in grasslands, forests, and open areas across North America and Eurasia. ![Holarctic Ground Squirrels](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ground_squirrel_berkeley_marina_01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Benefactor123 at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ground_squirrel_berkeley_marina_01.jpg) ## Appearance The Holarctic Ground Squirrels have a stocky body with short legs and a relatively short, often bushy tail. Their fur usually ranges from sandy to grayish-brown, frequently featuring spots or stripes that provide excellent camouflage against the earthy terrain. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Urocitellus ## Interesting facts - Baby ground squirrels are born blind and hairless, completely helpless at first! - Some ground squirrels "kiss" each other on the nose to recognize family members! - Some species can stand perfectly still like a statue to avoid being seen by predators. - Their underground homes can be more than 20 feet deep and have many rooms! ## Special abilities - **Tunnel Architect:** Holarctic Ground Squirrels can dig extensive underground burrows because these provide safe shelters from predators and extreme weather. - **Deep Sleep Power:** Holarctic Ground Squirrels can enter a state of deep hibernation for months because this helps them survive harsh winters without food. - **Vigilant Watcher:** Holarctic Ground Squirrels have a variety of sharp alarm calls that help them warn colony members of approaching danger quickly. - **Winter Pantry:** Holarctic Ground Squirrels can store food in their cheek pouches and burrows because this helps them survive periods of scarcity. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.15-0.7 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-7 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Litter Size:** 4-8 - **Gestation:** 28-32 days ## Diet & Feeding These busy omnivores feast on a variety of plants, seeds, nuts, and occasional insects. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Seeds, Roots, Leaves, Berries, Insects - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Hawks prey on ground squirrels from above. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Coyotes hunt ground squirrels in open areas. - **Eaten by:** [American Badger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-badger) (*Taxidea taxus*) — Badgers dig into burrows to catch 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. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [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:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Holarctic Ground Squirrels? 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 Holarctic Ground Squirrels? 20-30 cm ### How much does Holarctic Ground Squirrels weigh? 0.15-0.7 kg ### How long does Holarctic Ground Squirrels live? 3-7 years ### How fast can Holarctic Ground Squirrels move? 35 km/h ### What does Holarctic Ground Squirrels eat? These busy omnivores feast on a variety of plants, seeds, nuts, and occasional insects. ### Where is Holarctic Ground Squirrels usually found? They mainly live in grasslands, forests, and open areas across North America and Eurasia. ### How does Holarctic Ground Squirrels hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/organ-mountains-desert-peaks-national-monument) — New Mexico, US · National Park ## 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: [Holarctic Ground Squirrels: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/holarctic-ground-squirrels)