ground squirrel

This term refers specifically to members of the Sciuridae family that have evolved for a fossorial lifestyle. While they share a common ancestry with tree squirrels, the term emphasizes their terrestrial and subterranean nature, distinguishing them by their shorter tails and specialized digging claws.

In a biological context, the term is used broadly to cover various species across different genera. It is used as a standard countable noun when referring to individual animals or populations.