The European Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) is something special, the epitome of a steppe species. The tiny, rather sociable rodents reside in elaborate burrow structures that act as their airs and graces. Their burrows are not basic holes in the ground, but intricate networks of tunnels and chambers that also include exit routes they take to escape predators or an excess heat.
One of the most interesting things about these little ground squirrels is when four or five can be found in a group. They are social and lives in colonies that usually contain a few families. These colonies have a defined social hierarchy with dominant individuals preside over the remaining members of the colony. These dominant compilers are key to territorial defence, food gathering and social harmony.
European ground squirrels are herbivorous, eating mostly a variety of plant material such as grasses, seeds and sprouts; their diet could be complemented with the occasional insect. Yet they are also opportunistic feeders, hunting insects and small invertebrates. They feed on food resources harvested in various places according to the season. In summer, they remain above ground and forage frequently to stockpile their burrows with extra food for the hard winter times when there will be less on offer.
Each autumn, the European ground squirrel experiences a truly remarkable change. They hibernate, slowing their metabolic process down to a serious crawl. In this stage, their body temperature lowers significantly as do rest and recovery rates of the heart and breathing. They will continue to be in this state of hibernation until the warmer temperatures during spring rouses them from their rest.
However, European ground squirrels are under threat from a number of different factors. Livestock farming and in particular the intensification of agriculture into a more industrial type are seen as devastating, while issues surrounding habitat destruction due to urbanisation or other infrastructure developments. The conversion of grasslands to croplands and their habitats fragmented was thus reduced in the range for local population persistence. And they are under threat due to predation from foxes, dogs and other predators.
There a number of conservation projects to help protect these wonderful animals. Measures such as habitat restoration, creating wildlife corridors and raising awareness among the public are being used to preserve their population.
Knowledge and appreciation of their role in the ecosystem can help facilitate collaboration towards securing a future for these ground squirrels, which is important given how they contribute to maintaining biodiversity throughout much of its native European steppes.