# Round-tailed Ground Squirrel (*Xerospermophilus tereticaudus*) The Round-tailed Ground Squirrel is a small, playful animal that loves to dig and explore. They have round tails and are often seen scurrying around in the grass, looking for seeds and insects to eat. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Round-tailed Ground Squirrel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Spermophilus_tereticaudus_Phoenix_2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Kaldari, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spermophilus_tereticaudus_Phoenix_2.jpg) ## Appearance The Round-tailed Ground Squirrel is a small, slender rodent with a sandy-brown coat, often appearing grayish. Its most distinctive feature is its short, round, and sparsely furred tail, which looks more like a rat's tail than a typical bushy squirrel tail. They have small ears and pale underparts. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Xerospermophilus ## Interesting facts - Some can survive without drinking water, getting all moisture from the plants and seeds they eat! - Their tiny ears are perfectly adapted to keep sand out in windy desert environments! - They 'estivate' during super hot summers, which is like hibernation but to escape heat, not cold! - When babies are born, they are blind and hairless, completely relying on their mom! ## Special abilities - **Burrow Architect:** Round-tailed Ground Squirrels can dig extensive underground tunnels for shelter because it helps them escape predators and the desert heat. - **Heat Resilience:** Round-tailed Ground Squirrels have a high tolerance for scorching desert temperatures that helps them thrive in extreme arid environments. - **Sentry Watch:** Round-tailed Ground Squirrels can make high-pitched alarm calls that helps them warn other squirrels about approaching dangers. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 17-23 cm - **Weight:** 0.1-0.17 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-6 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 4-12 - **Gestation:** 28-35 days ## Diet & Feeding These little foragers nibble on yummy seeds, green plants, and tiny insects! - **Primary Foods:** Seeds, Grass, Insects, Leaves, Fruits - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common aerial predator. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Hunts them for food. - **Eaten by:** [Western Diamondback Rattlesnake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-diamondback-rattlesnake) (*Crotalus atrox*) — A ground predator in their habitat. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch from a distance and don't try to touch wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Round-tailed Ground Squirrel? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Round-tailed Ground Squirrel? 17-23 cm ### How much does Round-tailed Ground Squirrel weigh? 0.1-0.17 kg ### How long does Round-tailed Ground Squirrel live? 2-6 years ### How fast can Round-tailed Ground Squirrel move? 25 km/h ### What does Round-tailed Ground Squirrel eat? These little foragers nibble on yummy seeds, green plants, and tiny insects! ### Where is Round-tailed Ground Squirrel usually found? Grasslands ### How does Round-tailed Ground Squirrel hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Mesa Grande](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mesa-grande) — Arizona, US · Historic Site - [Sabino Canyon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sabino-canyon) — Arizona, US · Natural Landmark - [Kelso Depot](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kelso-depot) — California, US · Historic Site - [Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/yuma-territorial-prison-state-historic-park) — Arizona, US · State Park [View all places to see Round-tailed Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/round-tailed-ground-squirrel) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Round-tailed Ground Squirrel Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/round-tailed-ground-squirrel)