parka squirrel

English

Etymology

So called because the Eskimos use the pelts of these squirrels to make parkas.

Noun

parka squirrel (plural parka squirrels)

1. Synonym of Arctic ground squirrel
   • 2001, Larry Kaniut, Bear Tales for the Ages: From Alaska and Beyond, →ISBN, page 121:

     On the prairie there are little mounds made by generations of parka squirrels. The old-time Eskimo would find a bear that was hunting squirrels and then slip around into its path. Prone behind a parka squirrel's mound, the Eskimo would thrust up his forearm with fist doubled to imitate a squirrel, at the same time chirping like an alarmed squirrel.

   • 2003, James Kari, James A. Fall, Shem Pete, Shem Pete's Alaska: The Territory of the Upper Cook Inlet Dena'ina, →ISBN:

     They only had one parka squirrel coat.

   • 2016, Lois Crisler, Arctic Wild, →ISBN:

     The wolves had not noticed the distant caribou, and Cris gave each a parka squirrel to hold them with him.