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Glite Dictionary
Citellus variegatus

Citellus variegatus

9.9
A large grey ground squirrel that lives on rocky areas of the southwestern United States
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : sciurido rocoso
  • The Citellus variegatus, or rock squirrel, is well adapted to arid environments.

Examples

  • The Citellus variegatus is often seen sunning itself on rocky outcrops in Arizona.

  • I spotted a Citellus variegatus while hiking in Arizona.

  • Researchers observed the burrowing habits of Citellus variegatus in its natural habitat.

  • The Citellus variegatus is often seen in national parks.

  • Researchers observed the burrowing habits of Citellus variegatus in its natural habitat.

  • The Citellus variegatus is often seen sunning itself on rocky outcrops in Arizona.

  • The Citellus variegatus, or rock squirrel, is well adapted to arid environments.

Synonyms

rock squirrel
vsCitellus variegatus
  • US
1 6.9

A large gray ground squirrel that lives among rocks in the US Southwest

is an alternative name used for the same animal

Surface Forms

Citellus variegatus singular
Citellus variegatuses plural

Morphology

Citellus + variegatus

This is a Latin binomial (taxonomic) species name functioning as a proper noun; its referent 'rock squirrel' is a specialized label rather than a compositional English phrase. One constituent ('variegatus') is not a known English word here and even though 'Citellus' relates to ground squirrels, the combination does not allow a B1 learner to derive the common-name meaning, so it is opaque.

Etymology

Citellus variegatus comes from Latin words that describe the animal. The first part, citellus, means 'squirrel' and variegatus means 'varied' or 'spotted', so the name makes you picture a squirrel with mixed colours and is the scientific name for the rock squirrel found on rocky parts of the southwestern United States.