Rock squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rock squirrel |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Otospermophilus
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| Species: |
variegatus
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| Synonyms | |
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Spermophilus variegatus |
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The rock squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus) is a type of rodent in the family Sciuridae. These squirrels live in Mexico and the southwestern United States. You can find them in southern Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Western Texas, and the panhandle of Oklahoma.
Contents
What Rock Squirrels Look Like
Rock squirrels are some of the biggest squirrels in their family. Adult rock squirrels can grow up to 21 inches (53 cm) long. Their fur is a mix of grayish-brown with speckles on their front and top. Towards their back and bottom, the gray becomes a darker brownish-black.
They have a clear light-colored ring around their eyes. Their ears are pointed and stick up well above their heads. Rock squirrels also have a long, bushy tail with white edges.
Rock Squirrel Life
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Female rock squirrels usually have two groups of babies each year. Each group, called a litter, can have three to nine young squirrels. The first litter is often born between April and June. The second litter arrives later, between August and September.
Daily Habits
Rock squirrels are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. This is when the weather is warm. If it gets very hot, they might go into a deep sleep called aestivation. This is like hibernation but happens in summer to avoid heat.
Living in Groups
These squirrels are social animals. They live in groups called colonies. A colony usually has several females and one main male. This dominant male will fight other grown males to protect his group. Other males who are not dominant stay on the edges of the group.
Building Homes
Rock squirrels use their sharp claws and strong legs to dig burrows. These burrows are like underground homes. They offer shelter, keep the squirrels safe, and provide space to live and store food. A burrow system can be very big and complex. This is because squirrels keep making them larger over many years. The entrances to their burrows are usually hidden under rocks. They can be bigger than 3 inches wide.
Winter Sleep
In the colder northern parts of their habitat, rock squirrels hibernate during winter. This means they go into a long, deep sleep. But in warmer southern areas, rock squirrels might not hibernate at all. They can also go for a long time without water, sometimes up to 100 days!
Talking to Each Other
When a rock squirrel senses danger, it makes a short, sharp, whistling sound. This call goes up and down, warning other squirrels.
What Rock Squirrels Eat
Rock squirrels mostly eat plants. They are called herbivores. Their diet includes leaves, stems, and seeds. They also eat acorns, pine nuts, and fruits from local plants. Different types of grasses, mesquite, juniper berries, agaves, and cacti are also on their menu.
Sometimes, they eat small insects like grasshoppers, beetles, and earthworms. They might even eat very young wild turkeys or other birds. Rock squirrels can also scavenge. This means they might eat the remains of other squirrels that have already died. What they eat changes with the seasons. They eat whatever food is available nearby.
How They Find Food
Rock squirrels look for food every day. They climb trees and bushes. They also find food on the ground. They have large cheek pouches. These pouches can hold a lot of food. One time, a researcher counted 62 Gambel's oak acorns in just one squirrel's pouch!
Their food-finding trips are usually short, lasting about 12 minutes. Most foraging happens in the morning. This helps them avoid the hottest parts of the day. They eat some food right away. They take a lot of it back to a safe spot or their burrow. There, they can eat the rest without worry.
Who Hunts Rock Squirrels
Many animals hunt rock squirrels. These include different kinds of snakes and birds of prey like hawks. Other mammals also hunt them. These are bobcats, ringtails, gray foxes, raccoons, coyotes, badgers, and even domestic cats and dogs.
Sometimes, people see rock squirrels as a nuisance. They might try to move them away from their homes or gardens.
Staying Safe
Rock squirrels have many ways to protect themselves from predators. If a snake is nearby, they might make threatening moves. They even throw small bits of dirt or rocks at the snake. They often eat, rest, and sunbathe in trees, on high rocks, or on stumps. This helps them watch for predators from above. It also lets them make alarm calls to warn other squirrels. When disturbed by predators, they can also release a musky smell from special glands.
See also
In Spanish: Otospermophilus variegatus para niños
