European Ground Squirrel vs small tortoiseshell

Spermophilus citellus compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• European Ground Squirrel is Endangered while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European Ground Squirrel	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Sciuridae (Squirrels)	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Spermophilus	Aglais
Species	Spermophilus citellus	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

European Ground Squirrel and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

European Ground Squirrel

EN — Endangered

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European Ground Squirrel	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

European Ground Squirrel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Ukraine. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

small tortoiseshell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

small tortoiseshell

small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇺🇦 Ukraine