Why are squirrels named after a Greek word meaning “shade tail”?

The common name for the squirrel is derived from the Greek word skiouros, which translates to "shade tail". This term is a compound of the Greek words skia, meaning "shadow," and oura, meaning "tail".123

The name is believed to describe the animal's habit of sitting with its bushy tail raised over its back and head, effectively casting a small shadow over its own body. This descriptive name has been used to identify these rodents since the 14th century, evolving through various spellings before reaching its modern form.31