Rock Squirrel

Spermophilus variegatus

Physical Characteristics and Habitat

Rock squirrels are one of the largest members of the Scuridae family, growing to nearly a foot in length, not including their long, bushy tails which are nearly as long as their bodies. In front and on top, their coat is a speckled grayish-brown; in the back, and on the bottom the gray becomes a more mottled brownish black tone. They have a marked light colored ring around their eyes, and pointy ears that project well above their heads. When alarmed they whistle a short, sharp oscillating call.

They are found in the Sonoran Desert, and from Southern Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, and south through Arizona, New Mexico and into Mexico. 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 junk cars. They avoid open flats and montain forest areas.

Burrows and Behavior

Burrows dug with their sharp claws and muscular legs shelter them, providing safety, living space and food storage. Burrow systems can be complex and lengthy, enlarged over years. Entrances are usually hidden beneath rocks and can be greater than 3 inches in width. Rock squirrels in the northern reach of their habitat hibernate in their burrows during the colder months of the year. In southern areas, rock squirrels may not hibernate at all. They are active in the early morning and late afternoons when it is warm - when very hot, they may estivate. They are social, and live in colonies with several females and one dominant male that will fight other mature males to protect the group. There may be subordinate males at the outer boundaries of the group.

Rock squirrels can climb nearly as well as tree squirrels. They have been seen at the tops of agaves, junipers and mesquites, feeding on flowers, buds and beans.

In some areas they are considered a pest, as they eat crops. At Tonto National Monument in southeastern Arizona, their burrows have damaged some archaeological artifacts. Rock squirrel bones have been found in the earliest Salado ruins there though, so perhaps this squirrel was there before the people arrived.

Click here to view a movie of a rock squirrel.

Rock Squirrel Classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Sciuridae
Rock Squirrel Vital Stats
Weight:	up to 1.5 lbs
Length:	Body 10-12"; Tail 8"
No. of Young:	3-9 young
Mating Season:	Early spring
Gestation:	30 days
Birth Interval:	sometimes two litters per year, first from March-June, second Aug-Sept
Lifespan:	1-2 years; report of 10 years in captivity
Typical Diet:	Omnivorous: seeds, insects, mesquite beans, fruits, carrion, small birds and eggs
Predators:	Hawks, roadrunners, coyotes, snakes, golden eagles, gray foxes
Range:	Southern Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, and south through Arizona, New Mexico and much of Mexico
Hibernation period:	6-8 months/Aug-Feb. though known to awaken on warm winter days; southern rock squirrels may not hibernate at all.

 

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