# Feeding Habits of European Ground Squirrels in Anthropogenic Habitats in Central Macedonia, Greece

## TL;DR

This study examines how European ground squirrels adapt their diet in human-modified habitats in Greece, focusing on seasonal changes and plant availability.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the dietary adaptability of European ground squirrels in anthropogenic environments in Greece.

## Key findings

- Cynodon, Carex–Cyperus, Salvia, Solanum, and Plantago were the most common plant genera in the squirrels' diet.
- Squirrels consumed rhizomes and leaves, adjusting their diet seasonally based on plant availability.
- During food scarcity, they consumed less common or toxic plants like S. elaeagnifolium.

## Abstract

The endangered European ground squirrel in northern Greece is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. To support conservation efforts, this study investigated their diet and their seasonal change in a human-modified area in Central Macedonia. From 2022 to 2023, we recorded the plants that ground squirrels consumed and found that certain genera, like Cynodon, Carex–Cyperus, Salvia, Solanum, and Plantago, were most common. The squirrels mainly ate rhizomes and leaves, adjusting their diet based on what was available. During periods of food scarcity, they adjusted their diet to include less common or toxic plants. These findings show the species’ ability to adapt its diet in changing environments, and offer useful information for conservation and habitat management.

The European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) is an endangered mammal that inhabits open habitats with low vegetation in central and southeastern Europe. Its southernmost range includes northern Greece, where populations are declining due to habitat degradation and fragmentation. Limited behavioural research on Greek populations underscores the need for studies to support conservation efforts. The present study examined the species’ diet and seasonal changes in food consumption in an anthropogenic area of Central Macedonia, Greece. Between 2022 and 2023, feeding behaviour was documented recording plant parts, taxa, and feeding durations, while plant availability was assessed through surface sampling. The results revealed that Cynodon, Carex–Cyperus, Salvia, Solanum, and Plantago were the dominant plant genera in the species’ diet, while rhizomes and leaves were the most frequently consumed plant parts. Seasonal dietary shifts were observed, with ground squirrels selecting specific plants and plant parts based on availability. Under resource-limited conditions, they adapted by consuming nutritious rhizomes or the less-common, but toxic, S. elaeagnifolium. These findings highlight the species’ dietary adaptability to Mediterranean and human-modified environments, providing valuable ecological insights and informing habitat conservation and improvement strategies.