Species profile
About this species
The European Ground Squirrel is a small, burrowing rodent native to open grasslands across Central & South-Eastern Europe. It has a short, sandy-brown coat with pale underparts & a relatively short tail compared to tree squirrels. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to significant habitat loss & population decline across much of its range.
The European Ground Squirrel inhabits short-grass steppes, dry meadows, pastures & low-intensity agricultural land across Central & South-Eastern Europe, preferring areas with firm, well-drained soils suitable for burrowing.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph European Ground Squirrel with us in Hungary.
These departures are part of our Europe programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Late spring to early summer, particularly May & June, offers the best opportunities as squirrels are most active above ground. Early morning hours between sunrise & 9am provide warm light & high activity levels as the animals emerge from their burrows to forage.
Use a low angle by lying flat on the ground to achieve eye-level shots that create an intimate & engaging perspective. Approach slowly & patiently, allowing the squirrels to become accustomed to your presence before raising your camera. A telephoto lens of 300mm or longer is recommended to capture natural behaviour without disturbing the colony.
Available holidays
Trips featuring European Ground Squirrel
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.