Family: Sciuridae, Squirrels view all from this family

Description Brown, with about 9 rows of squarish white spots on back; belly whitish or buff. Long, moderately bushy tail. Small rounded ears. Males larger than females. L 11-15" (280-380 mm); T 4 1/4-6 1/2" (110-166 mm); HF 1 1/2-2" (38-51 mm); Wt 4 7/8-11 5/8 oz (137-330 g).

Similar Species Spotted Ground Squirrel has spots evenly scattered, not in rows. Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel has stripes as well as spots.

Breeding 1 litter per year of 1-10 young (usually about 5) born in May; gestation less than 30 days.

Habitat Brushy or grassy areas; mesquite or cactus deserts, usually on sand or gravelly soil.

Range Southeastern New Mexico and sw Texas.

Discussion A somewhat colonial species, the Mexican Ground Squirrel is thought to hibernate in winter in the cooler parts of its range. It feeds primarily on mesquite leaves and beans and other plants, along with insects in summer, and often on dead animals along the highway. One Mexican Ground Squirrel was observed killing a young cottontail rabbit almost one-fourth its own size. Each animal has several burrows, including a home burrow, usually with two entrances, and two or more secondary refuges (usually old home burrows). The burrows are about 2 1/2 to 3 inches (60-80 mm) in diameter, with a 7- to 8-inch (180-200 mm) nesting chamber in the deepest part of a side tunnel, in which the young are born. The nest is lined with grasses and leaves, often those of mesquite. Timid and usually silent, this species has an alarm call consisting of a short trilling whistle. Around small farms, these ground squirrels sometimes inflict crop damage by digging up germinating seeds and eating ripening grain.