Home › Mammalia › Sciuridae › European Souslik (Spermophilus citellus)
SPECIES PROFILE
European Souslik (Spermophilus citellus)
Spermophilus
IUCN STATUS
Vulnerable
CONSERVATION STATUS
Vulnerable
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Central & SE Europe
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Short-grass meadows, pastures
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Rodentia
FAMILY
Sciuridae
GENUS
Spermophilus
📋 Description
SIZE
18-25 cm body, 200-300 g
COLORATION
Yellow-brown, no spots
ADAPTATIONS
Burrowing, colonial, alarm calls
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Short-grass meadows, pastures
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Central & SE Europe
REPRODUCTION
4-8 young, 1 litter per year
DIET DETAILS
Grasses, seeds
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, agriculture
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The European souslik lives in dense colonies and digs complex burrow systems. It is highly social and gives loud alarm whistles.
2
It has declined dramatically due to intensive farming and loss of short-grass habitats.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Vienna meadows Austria
Hungarian puszta
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Look for small ground squirrels in short-grass meadows; listen for whistles.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Spring-summer
