rock squirrel

noun

1. a large, gray ground squirrel, Spermophilus variegatus, inhabiting rocky areas of the southwestern U.S.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rock squirrel¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Monument staff discovered a dead rock squirrel in the square kiva at the mission on July 11.

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That means that once plague has decimated one rodent species — say, the prairie dog — there are lots of other rodent species nearby it can jump to, like the rock squirrel.

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But sometimes, visitors try to feed rock squirrels and end up getting bitten.

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Crates and barrels occupy one corner; another corner is given to a larger-than-life, fluffy white nylon incarnation of a Chinese rock squirrel.

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Researchers in North America have found that California ground squirrels and rock squirrels have blood that has evolved to neutralise the specific toxins found in the venom of some rattlesnakes.

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