The genus Spermophilus ("seed lovers") is the largest genus of ground squirrels and the one that contains the species that are most common and familiar in North America. Members of the genus are found from western Europe to Siberia and Alaska to northern Mexico. The Eurasian species are sometimes called susliks (or sousliks). The latter name come from Russian ÑÂуÑÂûøú, suslik (compare also Polish: suseÅ‚)
