Squirrels have powerful, gnawing teeth for eating tough vegetable matter, and they can close their mouths while leaving their front teeth exposed for digging. Their other distinguishing feature is that their teeth never stop growing. The den of the ground squirrel is an intricate burrow with several entrances. They also prey on insects, the eggs and young of ground-nesting birds, and, occasionally, small mammals. They eat much food where it is found but also carry seeds in cheek pouches to build up large stores underground.
Ground squirrels are active during the day and sleep at night.
Southern ground squirrels do not truly hibernate but remain inactive in their burrows in winter. Ground squirrels are not as social as prairie dogs but may group together and live in large colonies where food is abundant. They live from 5 to 12 years. Squirrels are often prey for large carnivores such as coyotes, owls, and bobcats, but their main enemies are humans and automobiles. Destruction of woodland habitats for development adversely impacts squirrel populations.