Antelope squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Antelope squirrelsTemporal range: Late Miocene - Recent
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| White-tailed antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus) | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Sciuridae |
| Tribe: | Marmotini |
| Genus: | Ammospermophilus Merriam, 1892 |
| Species | |
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A. harrisii |
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Antelope squirrels are a type of ground squirrel found in the deserts and dry areas of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. They are known for being tough and can handle very hot body temperatures, even over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
There are five main types, or species, of antelope squirrels:
- Espíritu Santo antelope squirrel (A. insularis): Lives on Isla Espíritu Santo in Mexico.
- Harris's antelope squirrel (A. harrisii): Found in Arizona and New Mexico in the US, and Sonora in Mexico.
- San Joaquin antelope squirrel or Nelson's antelope squirrel (A. nelsoni): Lives in the San Joaquin Valley, California.
- Texas antelope squirrel (A. interpres): Found in Texas and New Mexico in the US, and in Mexico.
- White-tailed antelope squirrel (A. leucurus): Lives in the southwestern United States and Mexico's Baja California peninsula.
All these squirrels look and act quite similarly. They are about 14 to 17 centimeters (5.5 to 6.7 inches) long, not including their tail. Their tail adds another 6 to 10 centimeters (2.4 to 3.9 inches). They usually weigh between 110 and 150 grams (3.9 to 5.3 ounces). Their tails are a bit flat. They have a single white stripe on each side of their body, but no stripes on their face. They dig their own homes, called burrows. These squirrels are active during the day and do not hibernate in winter. This makes them fairly easy to spot.
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What makes antelope squirrels special?
All antelope squirrels have a white stripe along their sides, from their shoulder to their hip. This is similar to chipmunks. However, unlike chipmunks, these white stripes do not go onto their heads. Antelope squirrels often arch their tails forward over their backs.
These ground squirrels live in dry, desert-like areas of the southwest. Each type of antelope squirrel has special ways to deal with the extreme heat of the day and the cold nights. They all dig burrows for shelter. Not all of them live in groups. Every antelope squirrel has a white belly.
How to tell them apart
The different species of antelope squirrels can be told apart by small differences in their size, weight, and looks.
White-tailed antelope squirrel (A. leucurus)
The white-tailed antelope squirrel has slightly longer legs. It also has small, round ears. The outside of its limbs has a reddish color. They are about 19.4 to 23.9 centimeters (7.6 to 9.4 inches) long. Their tail is 5.4 to 8.7 centimeters (2.1 to 3.4 inches) long. They weigh between 85 and 156 grams (3.0 to 5.5 ounces).
Harris's antelope squirrel (A. harrisii)
The Harris's antelope squirrel is mostly gray. It has some brown on its upper front and back legs. It usually holds its tail arched over its back. They are about 22 to 25 centimeters (8.7 to 9.8 inches) long. Their tail is 7.4 to 9.4 centimeters (2.9 to 3.7 inches) long. They weigh between 113 and 150 grams (4.0 to 5.3 ounces).
Texas antelope squirrel (A. interpres)
The Texas antelope squirrel has tail hairs with three black bands. The underside of its tail is grayish-white. Their fur changes from gray in winter to reddish-gray in summer. They are about 20.3 to 22.9 centimeters (8.0 to 9.0 inches) long. Their tail is 5.08 to 7.62 centimeters (2.0 to 3.0 inches) long. Females weigh 84 to 115 grams (3.0 to 4.1 ounces). Males weigh 94 to 121 grams (3.3 to 4.3 ounces).
Nelson's antelope squirrel (A. nelsoni)
Nelson's antelope squirrels are yellowish-brown or tan on their head and neck. Their outer limbs are also this color. Their tail is thicker than other ground squirrels and has fringes. Males are a bit larger than females. Males are 23.4 to 26.7 centimeters (9.2 to 10.5 inches) long. Females are 23 to 25.6 centimeters (9.1 to 10.1 inches) long. Their winter fur is much darker than their summer fur. They are larger and more gray than White-tailed squirrels. Their skulls also have differences.
How antelope squirrels have babies
Antelope squirrels usually live for 2 to 4 years in the wild. In zoos, they can live up to 11 years. Both males and females can have babies by the end of their first year. They have babies from February to March, usually one group of babies per year. Each group has between 5 and 14 young. The young squirrels drink their mother's milk for about 8 weeks. After that, they come out of the burrow for the first time. All antelope squirrels give birth and raise their young in burrows.
They dig burrows in different ways. For example, the white-tailed squirrel digs shallow burrows under bushes. They might also use burrows that kangaroo rats have left behind. These squirrels do not stay with one partner. They can mate with many different partners each breeding season.
Where antelope squirrels live
Antelope squirrels live in dry, shrubby areas in the southern United States and Mexico. These places often have sand and rocks. This kind of soil is good for digging burrows. Burrows help them find shelter and escape the heat of the day. Temperatures in these regions can get hotter than 37.8 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day. At night, temperatures can drop below freezing. This means the squirrels need special ways to survive. There is very little standing water in these areas. These regions can also have long periods without rain. Harris's antelope squirrels do not need to drink water from the surface. However, they will sometimes drink from puddles or bird baths.
What antelope squirrels eat
Ground squirrels are important for spreading seeds in the dry, shrubby deserts where they live. They store seeds, fruits, and plants in their burrows or other hidden spots. This is called "caching." They eat these stored foods later. Antelope squirrels are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. They will eat small insects and dead animals if they can find them. Their diet changes with the seasons. They eat green plants, fruits, and seeds depending on what is available. All antelope squirrels carry their food in their cheek pouches to move it around.
How antelope squirrels behave
White-tailed antelope squirrels (A. leucurus) have larger feet than other antelope squirrels. This helps them run away from predators quickly. They stay cool during hot desert days by going into their burrows. They are most active in the early morning and late evening. Some white-tailed squirrels make loud alarm calls when predators are near. This warns their family members of danger.
Nelson's antelope squirrels (A. nelsoni) can stay active in temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). They do not hibernate. However, they can lower their body temperature to be closer to the burrow's temperature. They also become less active when food is hard to find. This helps them save energy.
Texas antelope squirrels (A. interpres) live in very hot, dry places. They have learned to lie flat in a shaded spot against the cool ground. This helps them cool down. This allows the Texas squirrel to be active during the hottest part of the day. Many predators are not active then.
Harris's antelope squirrels (A. harrisii) are the only antelope squirrels that dig all their own burrows. Other squirrels might use burrows dug by other animals. They cool down by salivating (producing spit) and holding their tails over their heads for shade. They also flatten themselves on the ground to cool off. When it's cold, they eat stored seeds. They also keep looking for food.
See also
In Spanish: Ardillas de tierra antílope para niños
