Squirrels of the World

302 Spermophilus citellus

Spermophilus citellus (Linnaeus, 1766)

European Ground Squirrel, European

Souslik

description: The back is light grayish brown, often with
a yellow wash; the back and the sides are speckled with
small light-colored spots. The limbs are short, and the fore-
limbs are especially well developed for digging.

size: Female—HB 167.6 mm; T 50.6 mm; Mass 202.3 g.
Male—HB 146.3 mm; T 59.5 mm; Mass 255.7 g.
Sex not stated—HB 205.0 mm; T 65.0 mm; Mass 290.0 g.

distribution: The European ground squirrel’s range now
extends from the Czech Republic through Hungary, Slova-
kia, and southeastern Europe, and from southwestern
Ukraine southward through Moldova, Romania, and Bul-
garia to European Turkey. Its distribution in Macedonia and
northern Greece is highly fragmented. S. citellus is now ex-
tinct in Germany, possibly in Croatia, and in Poland (al-
though it has been reintroduced here).

geographic variation: Four subspecies are recognized.
Records for southwestern Ukraine, Moldova, northeastern
Greece, and European Turkey are identifi ed only at the spe-
cies level.

S. c. citellus—Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hun-

gary. See description above.

S. c. gradojevici—Macedonia. The color is more uniform pale

yellow on the upperparts and buff yellow on the under-

parts. The dark subterminal band of the tail tends more

toward brown than black.

S. c. istricus—plains of the lower Danube River (Romania).

The dorsum is conspicuously sprinkled with white spots.

S. c. martinoi—Bulgaria. No description is available.

conservation: IUCN status—vulnerable. Population

trend—decreasing.

habitat: The natural habitats of the European ground

squirrel are shortgrass steppe communities and open forest

stands. It avoids exceptionally wet soils and thicker ground

vegetation. It is often found in human-created habitats (e.g.,

on lawns and other mowed grasslands, such as pastures and

golf courses).

natural history: S. citellus is omnivorous; it feeds on

shoots, fl owers, roots, and bark, but it also consumes seeds

when available. Like other sciurids, it is opportunistic and

includes animal material (when available) in its diet. The Eu-

ropean ground squirrel is diurnal, concentrating most of its

activity in the middle of the day, but it will also show a mid-

day drop in activity in response to high ambient temper-

atures. This obligate hibernator constructs well-developed

and complex burrow systems, excavated with forelimbs that

Spermophilus citellus. Photo courtesy Fabrice Schmitt.

http://www.ebook3000.com