Rock squirrel

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This article is about the North American squirrel. For Asian rock squirrels, see Sciurotamias.

Rock squirrel
Spermophilus variegatus.jpg

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Otospermophilus
Species:
O. variegatus
Binomial name
Otospermophilus variegatus
(Erxleben, 1777)
Synonyms

Spermophilus variegatus

The rock squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae and is native to Mexico and the Southwestern United States, including southern Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas, and the panhandle of Oklahoma.[2]

Characteristics[]

Alarm call

Rock squirrels are one of the largest members of the family Sciuridae, with adults measuring up to 21 inches (53 cm) in length.[3] In front and on top, the squirrel's coat is a speckled grayish brown; on the rear and bottom, the gray becomes a more mottled brownish-black tone. They have a marked light-colored ring around their eyes and pointed ears that project well above their heads. Rock squirrels have a long, bushy tail with white edges.

Life history/behavior[]

The female rock squirrel has two litters a year, with three to nine young in each litter. The first litter is typically born from April to June, while the second is born in August or September. They are active in the early morning and late afternoons when the weather is warm; when very hot, they may estivate. They are social, and live in colonies with several females and one dominant male that fights other mature males to protect the group. Subordinate males lurk at the outer boundaries of the group. Rock squirrels dig burrows with their sharp claws and muscular legs. The burrows provide shelter, safety, living space, and food storage. Burrow systems can be complex and lengthy, as they are enlarged over a period of years. Entrances are usually hidden beneath rocks and can be wider than 3 inches. In the northern reach of their habitat, rock squirrels hibernate during the colder months of the year. In southern areas, rock squirrels may not hibernate at all.[4] They can withstand long periods of time without water, some even up to 100 days. [5] When alarmed, they whistle a short, sharp, oscillating call.

Diet[]

The rock squirrel is predominantly a herbivore, eating mostly leaves, stems, and seeds, and occasionally invertebrates and small vertebrates. They also eat acorns, pine nuts, fruits of native plants, assorted grasses, mesquite, juniper berries, agaves and cacti. The primary invertebrates include grasshoppers, beetles and earthworms and the vertebrates include young wild turkeys and other fowl.[6] The rock squirrel may eat their own kind, scavenging the remains of squirrels that are already dead. Its diet changes with the seasons, accustoming itself to what is available locally.[7]

Rock squirrels forage for its food on a daily basis, by climbing trees and bushes or on the ground. They collect generous amounts of food items in their cheek pouches, which are quite large. One researcher counted 62 Gambel's oak acorns carried in one squirrel's pouch.[6] These foraging trips are generally short-lived, usually only lasting about 12 minutes. Most foraging is done in the morning, to avoid the hotter parts of the day. They eat some of the food right away and bring a significant portion back to a lookout point or burrow, where they can safely consume or store the rest.[8]

Predators[]

A variety of snakes, birds of prey, and other mammals (bobcats, ringtails, gray foxes, raccoons, coyotes, badgers, domestic cats and dogs) prey upon the rock squirrel. Humans have also been known to eat rocks squirrels, but can also view them as pests, resulting in lethal and nonlethal removal. The rock squirrel displays a variety of antipredator behaviors. When close to a snake, they make menacing movements and even throw debris at the snake. They often feed, rest, and sunbathe in trees, high rocks, and stumps. This allows them to watch for predators and to communicate alarm calls to other squirrels. They also emit musky scent from their anal glands when disturbed by predators.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ Linzey, A. V.; Timm, R.; Álvarez-Castañeda, S. T.; Castro-Arellano, I. & Lacher, T. (2008). "Spermophilus variegatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Langstaff, Lucas. ""Spermophilus variegatus rock squirrel"". nhpbs.org. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  3. ^ Helgen, Kristofer M.; Cole, F. Russel; Helgen, Lauren E. & Wilson, Don E (2009). "Generic Revision in the Holarctic Ground Squirrel Genus Spermophilus" (PDF). Journal of Mammalogy. 90 (2): 270–305. doi:10.1644/07-MAMM-A-309.1. S2CID 28483038. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 October 2011.
  4. ^ March, p. 2 2.
  5. ^ Oaks, p. 5.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Langstaff, Lucas. "Spermophilus variegatus (rock squirrel)". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  7. ^ Rock Squirrel - Spermophilus variegatus Nature Works
  8. ^ "ADW: Spermophilus variegatus: INFORMATION". Animal Diversity Web.

Further reading[]

  • "Rock Squirrel - Spermophilus Variegatus." Rock Squirrel. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2015.
  • "Rock Squirrel." S. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2015. animals in the United States and Mexico June 26, 2015
  • Oaks, Emily C.; Kirkland, Gordon L.; Schmidt, David F.; Young, Paul J. (1987). Spermophilus Variegatus. Soc.
  • Belding's, California
  • Marsh, Rex E., Rock Ground Squirrels
  • Oaks, Emily C. Mammalian Species

External links[]

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