Harris' Antelope Squirrel

Ammospermophilus harrisii

Harris' Antelope Squirrel is a small, lively squirrel found in the deserts of the southwestern United States. They have a fluffy tail and love to dig and play in the sand.

Hábitat: Desert

Aspecto

The Harris' Antelope Squirrel has a grayish-brown back with a single white stripe running along each side of its body, and a pure white belly. Its relatively short tail is often held curled over its back, distinguishing it from other striped ground squirrels.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloChordataClaseMammaliaOrdenRodentiaFamiliaSciuridaeGéneroAmmospermophilus

Harris' Antelope Squirrel

Categoría

Mamíferos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Despite their name, 'antelope' squirrels don't eat antelopes; it refers to their antelope-like running!

Harris' Antelope Squirrels use special cheek pouches to carry armfuls of seeds back to their homes!

These desert dwellers often hold their fluffy tails over their backs like tiny parasols for shade!

They can dig amazing burrows with multiple exits, perfect for escaping hungry predators quickly!

Habilidades especiales

Harris' Antelope Squirrel can quickly cool down its body by pressing its belly to a cool rock, helping it survive desert heat.

Harris' Antelope Squirrel can get almost all the water it needs from its food, letting it thrive in dry desert environments.

Harris' Antelope Squirrel can twitch its tail rapidly as a signal to predators, letting them know it has been spotted.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 14-17 cm
Peso: 0.1-0.15 kg
Esperanza de vida: 2-5 años
Top Speed: 25 km/h
Tamaño de la camada: 6-12
Gestación: 30-31 días

Dieta y alimentación

An omnivore, it eats seeds, fruits, insects, and green plants found in its desert home.

Alimentos principales

Seeds
Cactus Fruit
Grasses
Insects
Leaves

Método de búsqueda

Foraging

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

A common aerial predator of this ground squirrel.

eaten by

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox

Hunts squirrels on the ground, ambushing from cover.

eaten by

Coyote

Canis latrans

A terrestrial predator that preys on squirrels.

eats

Honey Mesquite

Prosopis glandulosa

Consumes the seeds and pods of this desert tree.

eats

Engelmann's Prickly Pear

Opuntia engelmannii

Feeds on the fruits and seeds of this common cactus.

Rasgos

Peludo

Peludo describe a los animales que poseen una cubierta densa de pelo o pelaje suave.

Social

Los animales sociales viven en grupos organizados, cooperando para obtener beneficios de supervivencia como la búsqueda de alimento, la defensa y la cría de descendencia.

Omnívoro

Este rasgo identifica organismos cuya dieta incluye tanto materia vegetal como animal.

Excavador

Los animales excavadores cavan túneles y cámaras en el suelo y utilizan estas estructuras subterráneas para refugiarse, cazar o reproducirse.

Desierto

Los hábitats desérticos son regiones áridas caracterizadas por precipitaciones extremadamente bajas y, a menudo, temperaturas extremas, que albergan una flora y fauna especializadas.