rock squirrel

American  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of rock squirrel

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

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

From Washington Times

“A lot of people have rock squirrels in their yard, and when they die, their fleas are very good at biting people,” Mr. Ettestad said.

From New York Times

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

From Washington Post

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

From New York Times

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.

From BBC