![rock squirrel rock squirrel](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/rock-squirrel-4068780.jpg)
![rock squirrel rock squirrel](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/squirrel-rock-22530861.jpg)
Some species have cheek pouches they use to transport food to their young or to store food in their burrows for later. On occasion, they will also eat the eggs of birds or snakes as well as insects and other small animals. This may include various mushrooms and other fungi as well as nuts, fruits and seeds. Ground squirrels are omnivores and eat a variety of items found in their grassy environments. Ground squirrels can be found from sea level to very high altitudes, such as the Barbary ground squirrel ( Atlantoxerus getelus) which lives in rocky habitats up to 13 000 ft (4 000 m). They tend to inhabit open fields or pastures, and for this reason, have become known as pests for livestock in areas developed by humans. A Richardson’s ground squirrel perched on a rock Ecology and BehaviorĪs their name suggests, most ground squirrels live on the ground, often burrowing underneath it.
![rock squirrel rock squirrel](https://i0.wp.com/theseurbantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/unnamed-3.png)
Their undersides are often lighter, often white or a lighter grey or brown. Most species exhibit some type of pattern on their fur, such as the stripes of a chipmunk or lines of spots and dappling. Colors vary widely from dark reddish or brown to gray and olive tones. Their claws are relatively long and strong, allowing them to dig and, in some cases, climb. They have long, usually slender bodies and short legs. In contrast, chipmunks weigh as little as (0.1 lb) 50 g. Marmots are the heaviest squirrels, weighing up to 18 lb (8 kg). With so many genera and species of ground squirrel, they vary significantly in size. Ground squirrels – often referred to as ‘groundhogs’ or ‘gophers’ – are notorious for standing tall on their hind legs to detect potential threats. For the most part, this refers to the medium-sized species such as the California ground squirrel ( Otospermophilus beecheyi) but also includes larger species such as marmots and smaller species such as chipmunks. Ground squirrel is a family of rodents (Sciuridae), consisting of more than 24 genera. Seeds, fruit, insects, bird eggs and young, small mammals