A ground squirrel is one of a number of species of squirrels that primarily live on the ground, although a few can venture into trees. Beyond this, they are distinguished from their tree squirrel relatives by shorter, less-bushy tails. These squirrels live in the Northern Hemisphere and are separated into several groups including the
North American ground squirrels, the three African ground squirrels (Xerini), the susliks of Asia, or the various Protoxerini squirrels also of Africa.

Ground squirrels come in three general categories: the small chipmunks with stripes on their backs and occasional arboreal habits, medium-sized ground squirrels, and the larger marmots and prairie dogs.

Tagging: Ground squirrels will be tagged by implication or have a species name with "ground squirrel" in it. They have small, less bushy tails compared to tree squirrels and, except for chipmunks with their black and white back stripes, usually drab coat colors.

More information:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_squirrel