It inhabits the areas south of Poland in the central and eastern Europe. Its natural habitat actually stretches to Istanbul. I managed to photograph this tiny mammal on a small hill, several dozen kilometres away from Istanbul. Of course, when I encroached upon their area, they fled in the instance. After remaining still for a quarter of an hour, they came again. The squirrels saw me, but they did not hide and were observing me, resuming eating. At the moment of danger, they disappear immediately  into their earth holes, which are in plenty in that place. European Ground Squirrels are small mammals, they weigh up to 300 grams. They live in colonies and keep watches over the surroundings, looking for signs of menace. They hibernate in the winter, like bears. In Poland, the Speckled Ground Squirrel belong to the endangered species and are under legal protection. 

TURCJA 1- wykaz j.ANGIELSKI

Turkey - introduction - Mediterranean Gull
New galleries
1. Mediterranean Gull 2.Rose-ringed Parakeet.3.Mediterranean Shearwater.4.Red-rumped Swallow.5.Pygmy Cormorant.6.Caspian Gull.7.Slender-billed Gull.8.Yellow-legged Gull.9.Lesser Spotted Eagle.10.Eurasian Penduline Tit.11.Peregrine Falcon.12.European ground squirrel.13. Laughing Dove.
and added a photo to the gallery:
14.Green Sandpiper.15.Little Egret.16.Western Jackdaw.17.Common Kestrel.18.Cormorant.19.Corn Bunting.
Go to the gallery : TURKEY- FAUNA