In the subgenus Callospermophilus there usually is a longitudinal white or buffy stripe on each side of the back, which, in turn, may be bordered on each side by a black stripe. When in summer pelage, most forms of this subgenus have chestnut to yellow fur on the head and shoulder region. The tail of a ground squirrel is usually relatively short, is well furred, and in some species tends to be reddish in color. The pelage varies from soft and dense to coarse and thin. All species have relatively short legs, as well as large internal cheek pouches in which to carry food.
Females have four to seven pairs of mammae.
Ground squirrels inhabit prairies and steppes, tundra, rocky country, open woodlands, abandoned farms, or desert mountain ranges. They are not found in areas with a dense forest cover. Most species construct burrows. Those of S. lateralis are short and simple, averaging about 1.2 meters in length. The golden-mantled ground squirrels dig short, simple burrows, usually under brush or a stump or near a rock, about 25 cm deep and 35 cm long.