A large ground squirrel species native to the steppes and grasslands of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, characterized by its robust build and social burrowing behavior.
Inhabits open grasslands, steppe regions, and agricultural landscapes in countries like Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, and parts of Eastern Europe, typically at elevations between 0-1,500 meters above sea level.
Key species in grassland ecosystems, serving as prey for predators, facilitating soil aeration through burrowing, and contributing to seed dispersal and vegetation dynamics.
