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Squirrels are familiar to almost everyone. More than 200 squirrel species live all over the world, with the notable exception of Australia. Squirrels are small rodents generally between 10 cm and 20 cm tall, although some species of squirrel like marmots and prairie dogs around the size of a small beaver. Like other rodents, squirrels have four front teeth that never stop growing so they dont wear down from the constant gnawing. Tree squirrels are the types most commonly recognized, often seen gracefully scampering and leaping from branch to branch. There are around 50 species of flying squirrel found in tree tops worldwide. These flying squirrels cannot fly as such, but more jump and glide to their destination, with the flying squirrel able to use its shorter tail to help it balance.

Other species are ground squirrels who live in burrows or tunnel systems, where some hibernate during the winter season. There are about six species of ground squirrel still found mainly in America with the exception of the African ground squirrel which resembles a small meerkat. The Barbary ground squirrel is found on the Barbary Coast of Western Sahara, Morocco and Algeria on the seaward side of the Atlas Mountains and was introduced into the island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. This is a colonial animal and lives in family groups in burrows in dry grassland, bushy and rocky areas including disturbed agricultural land, or in dens among rocks. It tends to come out to feed early in the morning and again in the evening, retreating into its burrow during the heat of the day. It feeds on plant material and a major part of its diet is the fruit and seeds of the argan tree. They also catch and eat small animals, such as insects and caterpillars. If the population builds up and food is scarce, the Barbary ground squirrel may migrate. The females give birth to litters of up to four young, twice a year. These small mammals must always be wary of predators because they are tasty morsels with few natural defenses, save flight; and sometimes groups of ground squirrels work together to warn each other of approaching danger with a whistling call.