Family: Sciuridae, Squirrels view all from this family

Description This small squirrel has whitish cheeks, and a darker top of the head. Undertail is buff or cinnamon. Pelage is plain, and two distinct color morphs are known with the back being either cinnamon or drab gray-brown. Sides of head are dull white. Belly is white. Has a thinner tail than other ground squirrels, and no spots or flecking.

Dimensions 202-278mm, 60-112mm, 110-170g

Similar Species Smaller than the Mohave Ground Squirrel with white cheeks and a buff undertail.

Habitat Scrub, shrub & brushlands, Deserts

Range Southwest, California

Discussion Does not hibernate, but may enter torpor in the winter. Call with high-pitched whistles or peeps. Uses sandy flat areas in the Sonoran and Mohave deserts.