Ground squirrel

Ground squirrels live on the ground.

They do not live in trees like other squirrels. Many live in big groups. They dig deep tunnels to stay safe. These tunnels have many rooms. If a predator comes, they run underground. They also make loud calls to warn friends.

These squirrels eat nuts and seeds. They also eat bugs and eggs. They like to stand up on their back legs to watch.

Ground squirrels are part of the squirrel family. Most of them live in burrows. These are holes in the ground. This is different from tree squirrels.

Many ground squirrels live in groups. They have complex social lives. Some members of this group are called marmots. Others are called prairie dogs. Even chipmunks are part of this group.

These animals have many ways to stay safe. They spend much of their time standing up. They use their back legs to stand tall. This helps them watch for danger. If they see a predator, they make loud calls. These high calls warn other squirrels to hide.

Ground squirrels also dig deep tunnels. These tunnels have many rooms and entrances. They can be up to 10 meters long. This makes it hard for predators to catch them. They eat many things. They like nuts, seeds, and fruit. They also eat insects and small animals. They are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals.

Ground squirrels are busy rodents in the squirrel family. Most of them live in burrows instead of trees. This is different from the tree squirrels many people know. This group includes many different kinds of animals. Some are called marmots, and others are prairie dogs. Even small chipmunks belong to this large group. They are part of a tribe called Marmotini.

These animals have clever ways to stay safe. They spend about one-third of their time standing up. They use their hind legs to stand tall and straight. If they see a predator, they stop and watch 60% of the time. They also make high-pitched warning calls to alert their colony. These sounds act like an early warning system for others. Many ground squirrels live in groups with complex social lives.

Ground squirrels are also great builders. They dig intricate tunnel systems under the earth. These burrows have many different chambers and entrances. Some tunnels can be as long as 10 meters. Having many entrances provides many escape routes from danger. It is very hard for a predator to reach them underground. This digging helps them survive in the wild.

Scientists have studied their history for a long time. The oldest known ground squirrel was a mummy from the Arctic. It was found in Europe and is 20,000 years old. The oldest fossils of this group are even older. They date back to the Early Oligocene, over 30 million years ago. Some scientists think they moved between North America and Eurasia. They might have traveled by hopping across islands in the Bering Straits.

Ground squirrels can be found in many open places. They like rocky spots, fields, and grassy pastures. You might even see them in parks or golf courses. They are omnivores, which means they eat many things. They enjoy eating nuts, seeds, fruit, and fungi. They also eat insects, eggs, and other small animals. Their size can change a lot depending on the species. Some can be quite large and heavy.

Ground squirrels are a diverse group of rodents within the squirrel family, Sciuridae. Unlike many common tree squirrels, most members of this group live on the ground or within underground burrows. The term "ground squirrel" often refers to medium-sized species. However, the group includes much larger animals known as marmots (genus Marmota) and prairie dogs (genus Cynomys). It also includes smaller animals with less bushy tails, commonly called chipmunks (genus Tamias). These animals belong to a biological group called the Marmotini tribe. This tribe is part of the larger Xerinae subfamily and includes six different living genera.

These rodents have developed specific behaviors to survive in open environments. Many species are gregarious, meaning they are social and live in colonies with complex structures. They are also remarkably able to stand fully erect on their hind legs for long periods. This upright posture is used for watching their surroundings. In fact, ground squirrels spend about one-third of their time standing. When a predator is visible, they will stop and watch 60% of the time. This watchful behavior helps them monitor potential threats in their habitat.

To defend themselves, ground squirrels use both sound and engineering. When a threat is detected, they emit high-pitched warning calls. These alarm calls act as an early warning system for the entire colony. This allows nearby squirrels to find cover quickly. They also build intricate tunnel systems underground. These burrows feature multiple entrances and various chambers. Some tunnels can reach lengths of up to 10 meters. These complex designs provide many escape routes. The underground chambers make it very difficult for predators to reach them.

The evolutionary history of the Marmotini is a subject of scientific study. The oldest fossils of this group date back to the Early Oligocene, more than 30 million years ago (Mya). The genus likely persisted until the mid-Miocene, about 15 Mya. A 20,000-year-old Arctic ground squirrel mummy, known as Palaeosciurus, was found in Europe. This mummy is the oldest known ground squirrel species, though it is not closely related to modern lineages. Scientists are still researching how these animals spread across the world. They may have moved between North America and Eurasia by "island-hopping" across the Bering Straits or the Greenland region.

Ground squirrels are found in many different types of habitats. They prefer open areas such as rocky outcrops, fields, and pastures. They also live on sparsely wooded hillsides and grassy areas like parks or golf courses. Their physical size varies significantly depending on the species. Some marmots are among the heaviest squirrels in existence. They can grow to various heights and weights. Their diet is also quite varied because they are omnivores. They eat fungi, nuts, fruits, and seeds. They also occasionally consume insects, eggs, and other small animals.

Scientists categorize these animals into different subtribes based on their relationships. The subtribe Tamiina includes chipmunks, which sometimes spend time in trees. The subtribe Marmotina contains larger animals like marmots and prairie dogs. There is also a subtribe called Spermophilina, which includes "true" ground squirrels like the thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys). The fossil record for "true" ground squirrels is less complete than others. It only clearly begins in the mid-Miocene. During this time, modern susliks and prairie dogs were already living in their current ranges.

The movement of these squirrels was likely shaped by the environment and competition. While they spread through parts of the Northern Hemisphere, they did not reach Africa. This was likely due to competitive exclusion. This means that close relatives called Protoxerini and Xerini were already living there. These native squirrels evolved at the same time as the Marmotini. This competition prevented the Marmotini from expanding into the African continent. Understanding these patterns helps scientists see how different species interact and occupy different parts of the world.