ground squirrel

views updated May 21 2018

ground squirrel (gopher) Small, terrestrial squirrel native to Eurasia and North America. Ground squirrels eat plants, seeds, insects, small animals and sometimes eggs. Most have greyish-red to brown fur and some are striped or spotted. Length: to 40.5cm (16in); weight: 85–1000g (0.1–2.2lb). Family Sciuridae; genus Citellus (and others).