Spermophilus
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈspɜrməˌfɪləs/
- Specialized
- The Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus, is known for its distinctive stripes and burrowing habits.
- Spermophilus squirrels
- Spermophilus ground squirrels
Examples
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For example, species such as the northern Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus) live in isolated patches of habitat and may require some level of direct human intervention to move among those patches, even after local population sizes are stable (Garner et al. 2005).
Academic text (2012) -
Many species of Spermophilus can be found in both eastern Asia and North America, often thriving in meadows and grasslands.
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In the wild, Spermophilus species are important for soil aeration as their burrowing helps improve the ecosystem.
Synonyms
A group of small burrowing animals like ground squirrels found across the Northern Hemisphere
Compounds
- Specialized
A group of small burrowing animals like ground squirrels found across the Northern Hemisphere
Surface Forms
Etymology
Spermophilus comes from Greek parts sperma 'seed' and philos 'loving', so it means 'seed lover'. A helpful memory is that these are ground squirrels that often eat and store seeds, so the name fits the group of animals.