Otospermophilus variegatus (Erxleben, 1777)

Size

Rock squirrels (Otospermophilus variegatus) are among the largest members of the squirrel family Sciuridae. Adult individuals reach a total length of up to 21 inches (53 cm).

Coat Coloration

The upper and front portions of their coat are speckled grayish brown, while the rear and underparts have a more mottled brownish-black gray tone.

Facial Features

They have a distinct light-colored ring surrounding each eye, and pointed ears that extend noticeably above their heads.

Tail Characteristics

They also possess a long, bushy tail that has white edges.

U.S. Population Limitation

Due to their specialized habitat needs, rock squirrels can only maintain self-sustaining populations in a small number of U.S. states.

Habitat Type

They live in rocky mountains, canyon walls, cliffs, and steep rocky hills, landscapes that only occur in limited areas of North America.

General Distribution

They are found along the southern U.S. border and into Mexico, occurring in the U.S. states of California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and parts of West Texas.

Mexico Distribution

Contrary to common belief, rock squirrels in Mexico do not live in eastern coastal lowlands; they instead occupy areas of Jalisco, Guerrero, Mexico, Morelos, Colima and Puebla.

California Range

On the western edge of the species' U.S. range, they mostly live in the southeasternmost corner of California, which includes some of the most arid areas in the whole state.