The Caucasian Mountain ground squirrel (Spermophilus musicus) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. Its taxonomic status has been the subject of much debate, and it has at times been treated as a subspecies of the little ground squirrel. It was formerly considered endemic to the North Caucasus (Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia-Alania), but a 2024 analysis suggested that all populations of the little ground squirrel to the west of the Volga River should be included in this species. According to this definition, the Caucasian ground squirrel is widespread, ranging from Dagestan to Crimea and between the Dnieper and the Volga.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Caucasian Mountain Ground Squirrel being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Spermophilus xanthoprymnus
- Spermophilus citellus
- Urocitellus richardsonii
- Urocitellus undulatus
- Urocitellus elegans
- Spermophilus vorontsovi
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Rodentia
- Family
- Sciuridae
- Genus
- Spermophilus
- Species
- Spermophilus musicus
Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.
Check your photo