Ground squirrel
A squirrel adapted to life primarily on or beneath the ground rather than in trees. The group includes chipmunks, prairie dogs, and marmots.
Squirrel: A rodent in the family Sciuridae, including tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels. Ground squirrels are one major branch of the squirrel family.
Seed dispersal: The movement of seeds away from parent plants by wind, water, or animals. Seed caching by some ground squirrels can move and bury viable seeds.
Chipmunk: A small, often striped ground-dwelling squirrel in the genera Tamias and Eutamias. Chipmunks are familiar small-bodied members of the ground-squirrel group.
Tree squirrel: A squirrel adapted primarily to climbing and living in trees. Tree squirrels occupy arboreal habitats that ground squirrels largely avoid.
Burrow: A tunnel or chamber excavated by an animal for shelter, nesting, or food storage. Underground shelters shape ground-squirrel safety, nesting, and daily routines.
Ecosystem engineering: The modification of habitats by organisms through their physical activities. Burrowing changes soil structure and creates shelter used by other species.
Prairie dog: A burrowing North American ground squirrel that lives in large colonies called towns. Prairie dogs show how ground squirrels can form extensive, highly social colonies.
Flying squirrel: A nocturnal squirrel that glides between trees using a membrane stretched between its limbs. Flying squirrels contrast with the terrestrial lifestyle despite sharing the squirrel family.
Hibernation: A prolonged seasonal state of greatly reduced metabolism and body temperature in some animals. Many ground squirrels survive winter through extended bouts of hibernation.
Pest control: Methods for reducing organisms that damage crops, property, or human health. Some ground-squirrel species damage crops and infrastructure, prompting control efforts.