Ground Squirrel

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ground squirrel, any of 62 species of long-bodied terrestrial rodents that are active during the day and have short legs, strong claws, small rounded ears, and a short or moderately long tail. Colour varies widely among species from gray, tawny, or pale brown to olive, reddish, or very dark brown. A few species are solid-coloured, but most exhibit characteristic patterns such as dappling, lines of spots, white to brownish black stripes, bright reddish brown cheeks, or stripes combined with a yellowish red mantle over the head and shoulders. Underparts are white, shades of gray, tones of buff, or brown. In some species individuals may be partially or completely black (melanistic). Fur ranges in texture from harsh and thin to soft and dense and sometimes woolly.