European Ground Squirrel
Spermophilus citellus
Conservation Status
VulnerableMammalia · Rodentia · Sciuridae
About
The European ground squirrel, also known as the European souslik, is a species from the squirrel family, Sciuridae. It is among the few European species in the genus Spermophilus. Like all squirrels, it is a member of the rodent order. It is to be found in eastern and central Europe from southern Ukraine, to Asia Minor, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, Hungary, Greece, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and north as far as Poland but the range is divided in two parts by the Carpathian Mountains.
Fun Fact
European ground squirrels hibernate for up to six months and can lower their body temperature to just 2°C — close to freezing — while their heart slows to 2-3 beats per minute.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Grasslands and steppes
Diet
Herbivore
Lifespan
5-7 years
Threats
- Urban Expansion
- Invasive Species
- Agricultural Conversion