suslik n : rather large central Eurasian ground squirrel [syn: souslik, Citellus citellus]

English

Etymology

Russian

Alternative spellings

• souslik

Noun

1. Any of several large Eurasian squirrels, of the genera Citellus or Spermophilus
2. The fur of these animals

Synonyms

• zizel

Usage notes

• Thers is some disagreement over the taxonomy of these animals

The genus Spermophilus is the largest genus of ground squirrels and the one that contains the species that are most common and familiar in North America. Members of the genus are found from western Europe to Siberia and Alaska to northern Mexico. The Eurasian species are sometimes called susliks (or sousliks).

Ground squirrels may sometimes carry fleas that transmit diseases to humans (see Black Plague), and have been destructive in tunneling underneath human habitation. Though capable of climbing, ground squirrels spend little time in trees.

Species

• Spermophilus adocetus
• Spermophilus alashanicus
• Spermophilus annulatus
• Spermophilus armatus -Uinta Ground Squirrel
• Spermophilus atricapillus
• Spermophilus beecheyi - California Ground Squirrel.
• Spermophilus beldingi - Belding's Ground Squirrel.
• Spermophilus brunneus - Idaho Ground Squirrel.
• Spermophilus canus - Merriam's Ground Squirrel
• Spermophilus citellus - European ground squirrel.
• Spermophilus columbianus - Columbian ground squirrel
• Spermophilus dauricus
• Spermophilus elegans - Wyoming Ground Squirrel
• Spermophilus erythrogenys
• Spermophilus franklinii - Franklin's Ground Squirrel.
• Spermophilus fulvus
• Spermophilus lateralis - Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel.
• Spermophilus madrensis
• Spermophilus major
• Spermophilus mexicanus - Mexican Ground Squirrel
• Spermophilus mohavensis - Mohave Ground Squirrel
• Spermophilus mollis - Piute Ground Squirrel
• Spermophilus musicus
• Spermophilus parryii - Arctic Ground Squirrel
• Spermophilus perotensis
• Spermophilus pygmaeus
• Spermophilus relictus
• Spermophilus richardsonii - Richardson's Ground Squirrel.
• Spermophilus saturatus - Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
• Spermophilus spilosoma - Spotted Ground Squirrel
• Spermophilus suslicus - Spotted Souslik, Speckled Ground Squirrel
• Spermophilus tereticaudus - Round-tailed Ground Squirrel.
• Spermophilus taurensis - Taurus Ground Squirrel.
• Spermophilus townsendii - Townsend's Ground Squirrel
• Spermophilus tridecemlineatus - Thirteen-lined ground squirrel.
• Spermophilus undulatus
• Spermophilus variegatus - Rock Squirrel
• Spermophilus washingtoni - Washington Ground Squirrel
• Spermophilus xanthoprymnus