A tiny, alert watchman of the grassy fields and meadows of Central and Eastern Europe. About the size of a small guinea pig, these squirrels have sleek tan-brown fur, big dark eyes, and a habit of standing upright like little meerkats to scout for danger. They’re active during the day and spend much of their time darting around in short bursts, nibbling on grasses, seeds, and tasty insects they find along the way.
One of the coolest things about European ground squirrels is how important teamwork is in their colonies. They live in large, social groups where each squirrel keeps an eye out for predators like hawks, foxes, and snakes. If one spots trouble, it lets out a sharp whistle that sends the entire group diving into their underground burrows in a flash. These burrow systems are like cozy squirrel cities, complete with tunnels, sleeping chambers, and even special rooms for food storage!
European ground squirrels are also true masters of seasonal survival. As autumn approaches, they start to fatten up, because once winter arrives, they hibernate underground for months. Their body temperature drops dramatically, their heartbeat slows, and they live off the fat they built up during the warmer months. It’s a high-stakes nap, and they’re excellent at timing their wake-up with the arrival of spring, when fresh grass and flowers return.
Distribution
Austria
Bulgaria
Croatia
Official estimate
Czechia
Germany
Official estimate
Greece
Hungary
Moldova
North Macedonia
Poland
Romania
Serbia
Slovakia
Turkey
UkraineAnything we've missed?
Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!
Suggest an editGet to know me
Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Colony
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
