Squirrel Species of Lesser Concern
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus)
The white-tailed antelope squirrel is found in several counties in California. It can be common to abundant in the eastern parts of Modoc and Lassen Counties. It is found in the deserts of California from Alpine County to the Mexican border. |
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Golden–mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
The golden-mantled ground squirrel is found at higher elevations in the mountains of California, except for the Coast Range south of San Francisco. It inhabits the Sierra Nevada, Trinity, and San Bernardino Mountains, including a wide area in the northern part of the state. Since it inhabits areas at higher elevations, golden-mantled ground squirrels are not considered to be agricultural pests. However, they are very susceptible to plague, and therefore their populations should be monitored when they become numerous and are known to be in close proximity to humans. |
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Mohave Ground Squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis)
The Mohave ground squirrel is only found in the western Mojave Desert of California in parts of Inyo, Kern, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties. The Mohave ground squirrel inhabits desert scrub, usually on flat to gently sloping terrain with alluvial soils. Its diet is mostly made up of foliage and seeds of native shrubs. The Mohave ground squirrel is currently listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The Mohave ground squirrel is a medium-sized squirrel. The fur of the upper body has been described as grayish-brown, pinkish-gray, cinnamon-gray, and pinkish cinnamon. Mohave ground squirrel dorsal hair tips are multi-banded, and the skin is darkly pigmented. |
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Piute Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus mollis)
The Piute ground squirrel was previously known as Townsend’s ground squirrel. It has a very limited range in California and is found in parts of Modoc, Lassen, Sierra, Mono, and Inyo Counties. It is only found in arid, high desert habitats in these counties. Piute ground squirrels are widespread in Nevada and also found in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Like Belding’s ground squirrels, dense populations of Piute ground squirrels can cause significant damage to alfalfa crops, golf courses, and lawns. Their burrows can also cause ditch banks and canals to weaken and collapse. Mounds left behind from burrow excavations can damage haying machinery. |
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Rock Squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus)
The rock squirrel and the California ground squirrel can be very similar in appearance, however, the rock squirrels’ and the California ground squirrels’ distribution do not overlap and should therefore not be confused with each other. In California, the range of the rock squirrel is limited to the very southeastern corner of Inyo County and the very northeastern corner of San Bernardino County. The rock squirrel can be found in almost all of Arizona and New Mexico. It is also found in southwestern Texas and southern Nevada. It is found extensively in parts of Utah and Colorado also. The rock squirrel’s range extends southwards into Mexico. Rock squirrels can be found in rocky outcrops in pinyon-juniper and Joshua tree habitats, and they are occasionally observed in desert scrub habitat also. The burrowing activities of rock squirrels are also known to cause considerable damage within their range. |
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San Joaquin Antelope Squirrel (Ammospermophilus nelsoni)
The San Joaquin antelope squirrel is also known as Nelson’s antelope squirrel. This squirrel species is listed as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act. Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, the San Joaquin antelope squirrel’s already restricted range is declining. It can be found in western Kern County and in eastern San Luis Obispo County with additional populations found in Fresno, Kings, Merced, San Benito, and Tulare Counties. The San Joaquin antelope squirrel can be distinguished from the California ground squirrel by its much smaller size. San Joaquin antelope squirrels do not have bushy tails like the California ground squirrel. They also have a light-colored stripe along both sides of the body. San Joaquin antelope squirrels can often be confused with chipmunks. However, chipmunks have stripes on their face and San Joaquin antelope squirrels do not. |
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Round-Tailed Ground Squirrel (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus)
In California, the round-tailed ground squirrel is found in desert region from the Mexican border to southern Inyo County where they prefer open, flat, grassy areas. The round-tailed ground squirrel is a social animal. The are light beige in color with a long, black tipped tail.The round-tailed ground squirrel is a relatively small squirrel with a long, round tail. The summer pelage is generally paler than what is seen in the winter months. |