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ground squirrel
noun
: any of various burrowing North American and Eurasian rodents (especially genus Spermophilus) of the squirrel family that often live in colonies especially in open areas (such as grasslands)
called also spermophile
Examples of ground squirrel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
How squirrels can go for months without a drop to drink
Just as many across the United States were sitting down around the Thanksgiving table for a feast, a study was published in the journal Science that details how hibernating ground squirrels can go for six to nine months without any water.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2024
California ground squirrels are known to mostly eat acorns, seeds, nuts and fruit, sometimes supplementing their diet with insects and bird eggs.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 22 Dec. 2024
In the wild, ground squirrels usually live up to five years and can grow up to 18-20 inches.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
During that time, the scientists used live traps to capture, mark and release California ground squirrels on a biweekly basis.
—Julianna Bragg, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1688, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ground squirrel
Cite this Entry
“Ground squirrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20squirrel. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
ground squirrel
noun
: any of numerous burrowing rodents (as gophers and chipmunks) that differ from true squirrels in having cheek pouches and shorter fur
More from Merriam-Webster on ground squirrel
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ground squirrel
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