Mammal · GBIF taxon 2437304
European Ground Squirrel
Spermophilus citellusAlso known as European Souslik, Souslik
European ground squirrels live in social colonies across dry grasslands, spending much of their daylight hours foraging for seeds and plant shoots. Individuals frequently stand upright on their hind legs like sentinels, whistling sharp alarm calls to alert the colony at the first sight of a bird of prey. They spend six to eight months of the year hibernating in deep underground burrows that protect them through harsh winter conditions.
DiurnalBurrowingSocial
Licensed referenceCharles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasses
- Seeds
- Insects
Predators
- Raptors
- Red Fox
- Steppe Polecat
ThreatsAgricultural expansion, land abandonment, meadow conversion, and habitat fragmentation
HabitatsShort-grass steppes, dry pastures, meadows, and grassy airfields
Life span3–6 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilySciuridae
- SpeciesSpermophilus citellus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of giving a defensive bite if cornered; observe from a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by its yellowish-brown fur, short tail, small ears, and habit of standing bolt upright in open grass.
- Support conservation
- Observe quietly from established paths to prevent trampling pasture vegetation or blocking burrow entrances.
Responsible observation
- Look for lookout posts: Scan short-grass meadows for individuals standing upright on their hind legs to check for danger.
- Listen for alarm calls: A sharp, high-pitched whistle signals that a colony sentry has spotted a potential threat.
- Keep a safe distance: Avoid stepping on burrows or approaching too closely to minimize disruption to the colony.
Predator Marek Szczepanek / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Predator Andrey Giljov / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Grzegorz Leśniewski, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Family Member Photography captured by Giles Laurent / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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