If you’ve ever spotted a little furball popping out of a dirt mound in your yard, you’ve probably asked yourself this question: Is that a gopher, a chipmunk… or something else entirely? Spoiler alert, it might actually be a ground squirrel, a burrowing rodent with more than one name. And yes, they go by more than one name.
In fact, the confusion around what to call these dig-happy critters leads a lot of homeowners to misdiagnose the problem. That’s where it gets messy. Misnaming the pest can mean using the wrong control methods, wasting time, and making the infestation worse. So let’s clear it up once and for all.
This guide breaks down what ground squirrels are really called, how to tell them apart from their backyard cousins, and why it matters when it’s time to kick them out—for good.
Facts About Ground Squirrels and Other Types of Squirrel
Ground squirrels aren’t just your average backyard diggers—they’ve got quirks that might surprise you. Here are some fascinating facts about these tunnel-loving troublemakers:
- They whistle to warn each other. Some species let out a high-pitched squeak or whistle to alert others when danger is near. Think of it as their built-in neighborhood watch.
- They hibernate underground. Many ground squirrels spend months in cozy burrows during winter, entering a deep hibernation state to survive the cold.
- Their underground lifestyle is no joke. Ground squirrels are known to live in colonies and coordinate within shared burrow networks—so if you spot one, there’s likely a whole group nearby. Their tunnels even include dedicated chambers for food and nesting, which makes the infestation a lot more persistent than it looks.
- Their diet is sneakily varied. Ground squirrels aren’t picky. They eat seeds, roots, insects, flowers, and even bird eggs when they get the chance.
- They carry fleas that can transmit disease. Ground squirrels are known hosts for fleas that may carry diseases like plague, which is one reason they shouldn’t be ignored.
These critters may look harmless from a distance, but once you know how clever and persistent they are, it’s clear they’re more than just a yard nuisance.
Ground Squirrels, Chipmunk, and Marmot: Where They All Come From
Ground squirrels didn’t just pop up in your backyard overnight. These burrowing rodents have a deep evolutionary history that stretches across continents and they’ve adapted like champs along the way.
Ground squirrels belong to the Sciuridae family, the broader squirrel family that includes chipmunks, marmots like the yellow-bellied marmot, prairie dogs (Cynomys genus), and tree squirrels with their iconic bushy tails. What makes them different is how they live: underground, in open grasslands and arid areas, with lifestyles shaped around digging and social survival. Fossil records trace their presence back over 30 million years, and today, they’re found throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa—including several species of tropical ground squirrels that thrive in warmer, lowland environments.
In the U.S., they thrive in western and central states where open grasslands give them room to spread. Their colonies can quickly dominate a space, especially when food and shelter are easy to access. That adaptability is exactly why they tend to stick around longer than expected.
Beneath the Fur: How Ground Squirrels Tick Biologically
Ground squirrels are full-fledged members of the order Rodentia, placed within the Sciuridae family, and they share traits with chipmunks and marmots—but with a burrowing twist. One close cousin, the yellow-bellied marmot, prefers rocky alpine habitats and is more likely to be found sunbathing than digging in your backyard. There are over 60 species, ranging from just a few ounces to hefty ones weighing up to 30 lb. These rodents have short legs, strong claws, moderate ears, and can stand upright for surveillance at times. One subspecies, commonly referred to as the long-clawed ground squirrel, is especially known for its digging ability, using those oversized claws to carve through dry, compacted soil like a pro.
Most ground squirrels are diurnal, meaning they bust out of their burrows in daylight for foraging, and retreat underground at night. Their diet is surprisingly broad: munching on nuts, seeds, fungi, insects, bird eggs, and occasionally even small vertebrates. One eye-opener california ground squirrel were documented preying on voles recently; nearly half of vole, squirrel interactions ended in predation during summer 2024.
These rodents engineer multi-room tunnel systems, sometimes reaching up to 30 feet in length. It’s their underground architecture—combined with food storage and predator evasion—that makes them so hard to remove once they’re in. Many species hibernate too, vanishing for months in a deep hibernation cycle and then returning like they never left.
Add to this the fact that some species use infrared tail-flagging to warn rattlesnakes (they literally heat their tails to signal danger), and you’ve got mammals that are biologically intriguing, cunning, and well-adapted to survival under pressure.
Official Labels: Ground Squirrel Scientific Names
Ground squirrels are part of the Sciuridae family—specifically the Marmotini tribe—spanning about six genera of true burrowers. In taxonomic terms, this classification helps narrow down their identity based on shared biological traits. Here’s how they get tagged in the scientific world:
- Genus Spermophilus – Typical “Holarctic” ground squirrels, including the S. parryii (arctic ground squirrel), known for surviving extreme cold, and the more common S. tridecemlineatus (thirteen-lined ground squirrel) and S. citellus (European ground squirrel).
- Genus Urocitellus – Includes species such as U. columbianus (Columbian ground squirrel), known for its mountain burrows in North America.
- Genus Ammospermophilus – The antelope ground squirrels of the southwestern US, like A. leucurus (white‑tailed antelope squirrel).
- Other notable genera: Callospermophilus (golden‑mantled ground squirrels), Atlantoxerus (Barbary ground squirrel), and Xerus (African ground squirrels).
These scientific names matter because they pinpoint exactly which critter you’re dealing with—and that can change everything for removal strategy and legal requirements.
Call It What You Want—Just Don’t Let It Stay
Now that you know the many faces (and names) of the ground squirrel, you’re already ahead of most homeowners. From quirky colony habits to survival-level biology, these furballs are no ordinary yard pests. They’re resourceful, quick to settle in, and tough to evict without the right tools and timing.
So, what is another name for a ground squirrel? Gopher, whistler, potgut—it depends where you are, but one thing stays the same: when they show up, it’s time to act fast. And that’s where we come in. If you’re seeing holes, mounds, or squirrel-like mayhem around your property, call AAAC Wildlife Removal. We’ll help you identify the problem, clear it out, and make sure it doesn’t come back. No guesswork. No ground squirrel drama. Just expert results.
