flickertail

/ˈflɪkərˌteɪl/
noun
  1. A ground squirrel of the genus Spermophilus, especially the Richardson's ground squirrel, known for flicking its tail when alarmed.
    • A flickertail stood on its hind legs and whistled before darting into its burrow.
    • The flickertail's tail twitched nervously as it watched us from a distance.
    • While hiking in the prairie, we spotted a flickertail scurrying across the path.
  2. A nickname for the state of North Dakota (from the state animal, the Richardson's ground squirrel).
    • She moved to the Flickertail State for a job in agriculture.
    • He proudly wore a T-shirt that said 'Flickertail' with a picture of a squirrel.
    • The Flickertail is a common nickname for North Dakota in travel guides.
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