If you spot a tiny furball darting across a desert landscape — whether it’s a park, playground, or construction site — you’ve probably caught a glimpse of the white-tailed antelope ground squirrel, an omnipresent mascot for the Southwest United States.
🐿️ So Dang Cute
The white-tailed antelope ground squirrel is similar in appearance to a chipmunk, since both animals typically have a white stripe along the back. The squirrels grow to about 7.5 inches long and live up to four years in the wild. These creatures don’t waste any time, mating around a year after birth.
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Living Underground
As the name suggests, the squirrels burrow underground, carving out habitats to protect them from the sun and predators. They sleep at night and favor shady spots during the day. The squirrels also used their tails as umbrellas for instant relief from the sun ☀️
🌱 A Diverse Diet
Roaming throughout four acres each day, ground squirrels feed on plants and seeds, but won’t turn down the chance to munch on a mouse or lizard either. The creatures carry their food in pouches inside their cheeks, drawing yet another comparison to the chipmunk.
