The rock squirrel belongs to the ground squirrel family, but it can be seen climbing boulders, rocks, and trees. It is typically 17-21 inches long, with a tail length up to 8 inches—almost half the length of its body. Rock squirrels are grayish-brown, with some patches of cinnamon brown color.
Sep 24, 2021
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What are some fun facts about rock squirrels?
Rock squirrels are social creatures and live in colonies with several females and one dominant male who fights other mature males to protect the group. Rock squirrels live in burrows which they dig with their sharp claws and muscular legs. These burrows provide shelter, safety, living space, and food storage.
What does a rock squirrel eat?
Diet. The rock squirrel eats pine nuts, walnuts, seeds of mesquite, cactus, saltbush, agave, wild gourd, cherries, and sumac as well as all sorts of cultivated fruits and vegetables. It also eats insects like grasshoppers, crickets and caterpillars. It also eats carrion or dead animals.
Do rock squirrels dig holes?
Rock squirrels dig burrows for shelter from the weather, safety from predators, and food storage. They live in colonies, and several individuals may occupy a single burrow system. Burrow systems are occupied year after year and may be extended in length and complexity annually.
Do rock squirrels climb?
variegatus consist mostly of foraging and feeding. Rock squirrels forage both in the trees and on the ground. They climb bushes and trees in search of food nearly as well as tree squirrels.
Rock squirrels live in burrows which they dig with their sharp claws and muscular legs. These burrows provide shelter, safety, living space, and food storage.
The rock squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is native to Mexico and the Southwestern United States, ...
Rock squirrel
Rodents
The rock squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is native to Mexico and the Southwestern United States, including southern Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas, and the panhandle of Oklahoma. Wikipedia
Scientific name: Otospermophilus variegatus
Mass: 1.5 lbs (Adult)
Trophic level: Omnivorous
Conservation status: Least Concern (Population stable)
Gestation period: 30 days
Class: Mammalia
Family: Sciuridae
Source: Encyclopedia of Life
Rock squirrels are large, heavy-bodied ground squirrels with relatively long, bushy tails and large, pointed ears that stick up above the tops of their ...
The rock squirrel is a large ground squirrel that is 17-21 inches in length. It is mottled gray on its uppersides with a brownish rump and creamy white on its ...
Habitat. As the common name implies, rock squirrels almost always inhabit rocky locations including cliffs, canyon walls, talus slopes, boulder piles, and steep ...
Rock squirrels live in arid canyons, rocky cliff areas, and boulder piles, but have also been known to burrow in urban or suburban areas under lumber piles or ...
Weighing 450 to 875 grams, it has a body up to 30 cm long and a somewhat shorter, bushy tail. Members of both these genera have internal cheek pouches, which ...
Oct 16, 2023 · Characteristics. Rock squirrels are one of the largest members of the family Sciuridae, with adults measuring up to 21 inches (53 cm) in length.
Rock squirrels are mostly found in rocky areas. They are frequently seen grazing on mountainous cliffs, talus slopes, canyon walls, boulder piles, rocks and ...