ground squirrel

noun

1. any of several terrestrial rodents of the squirrel family, as of the genus Citellus and chipmunks of the genus Tamias. circ;circ;

ground squirrel

noun

1. any burrowing sciurine rodent of the genus Citellus and related genera, resembling chipmunks and occurring in North America, E Europe, and Asia Also calledgopher

Word History and Origins

Origin of ground squirrel¹

An Americanism dating back to 1680–90

Example Sentences

Yellow-bellied marmots are a large ground squirrel closely related to groundhogs.

From Salon

Avantus said that so far they have found one Mohave ground squirrel and no tortoises.

From Los Angeles Times

The stretch of desert includes at least 40 other protected species, including the Western Joshua tree, which California has protected with a conservation plan, and the Mohave ground squirrel, which the state lists as threatened.

From Los Angeles Times

“There’s a species of ground squirrel in Spokane County that’s endangered probably because of me.”

From Seattle Times

“Ground squirrel burrows are all over the park,” Nicolaus said.

From Los Angeles Times