Rock Squirrel
Otospermophilus variegatus
Unlike most ground squirrels, they are proficient climbers and are frequently spotted scaling vertical rock faces or high tree branches.
- Scientific name
- Otospermophilus variegatus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Rodentia › Sciuridae › Otospermophilus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- desert
- Habitat
- Arid rocky canyons, talus slopes, and cliff sides with sparse vegetation.
- Diet
- Omnivorous: primarily seeds, nuts, and berries, supplemented by insects and occasionally small vertebrates.
- Range
- Southwestern United States, Mexico
- Size
- 43 to 54 cm in total length, including the bushy tail.
- Lifespan
- 3 to 5 years in the wild.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Natural predation by raptors and snakes, habitat fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict in urban fringes.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless but defensive; do not approach or attempt to feed. They may bite if cornered and are known carriers of fleas that can transmit plague. Maintain a safe distance of at least 10 feet. If bitten, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical evaluation.
The rock squirrel ( Otospermophilus variegatus ) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae and is native to Mexico and the southwestern United States.
Photo: Kristof & Yulia, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
Plain-text version: /species/99d65601-5908-4a24-bce1-9ecec389eea8.md