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

“The things that they really need are burrows and short vegetation,” with the burrows primarily appropriated from ground squirrels, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Sprawl development and control efforts targeting ground squirrels, whose burrows the owls appropriate, have pushed the owls out of the grasslands they dwell in.

From Los Angeles Times

State wildlife officials told The Times that the company must still relocate any desert tortoises or Mohave ground squirrels, which are listed as threatened under California law, that are found during construction.

From Los Angeles Times