European Ground Squirrel

Taxobox
name = PAGENAME
status = VU
trend = unknown
status_system = iucn2.3


image_width = 250px
image_caption = European ground squirrel ("Spermophilus citellus)"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Rodentia
familia = Sciuridae
genus = "Spermophilus"
species = "S. citellus"
binomial = "Spermophilus citellus"
binomial_authority = (L., 1766)

The European ground squirrel ("Spermophilus citellus"), also known as the European Souslik, is a species from the squirrel family Sciuridae and the only European representative of the genus "Spermophilus". Like all squirrels, it is a member of the rodent order.

Description

The European ground squirrel grows to a length of approximately 20 cm and a weight of between 200 and 400 g. It is a diurnal animal, living in colonies of individual burrows in pastures or grassy embankments. The squirrels emerge during the day to feed upon seeds, plant shoots and roots or flightless invertebrates. The colonies maintain sentinels who whistle at the sight of a predator, bringing the pack scurrying back to safety.

The European ground squirrel hibernates between autumn and March, depending on the climate. In preparation they will build up reserves of brown fat during the late summer.

In early summer, between 5 and 8 cubs are born in one litter.

Distribution

It is to be found throughout eastern Europe from southern Ukraine, to Asia Minor, the Czech Republic, Greece and north as far as Poland.

References

* Listed as Vulnerable (VU A1c v2.3)