# White-tailed Antelope Squirrel (*Ammospermophilus leucurus*) The White-tailed Antelope Squirrel is a small, lively creature with a fluffy white tail. They love to scurry around in the desert, finding food and playing with friends. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Desert ![White-tailed Antelope Squirrel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/White_Tailed_Squirrel.jpg&width=800) Photo: Utahcamera at en.wikipedia, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_Tailed_Squirrel.jpg) ## Appearance The White-tailed Antelope Squirrel has a grayish-brown back with a distinctive white stripe along each side of its body, and a white belly. Its bushy tail is pure white underneath and is often held curled over its back. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Ammospermophilus ## Interesting facts - These tough little squirrels can safely eat scorpions, even their venomous stingers! - They flash their bright white tail as a signal to warn other squirrels of danger! - They hold their white tail like a tiny umbrella over their back when running! - This desert squirrel is active all year, never hibernating like many other squirrels! ## Special abilities - **Heat Radiator Tail:** White-tailed Antelope Squirrel can quickly release body heat by shunting blood to its large white tail, which acts like a radiator. - **Desert Heat Master:** White-tailed Antelope Squirrel can withstand high body temperatures up to 43°C (109°F), enduring extreme desert heat without overheating. - **Blurry Stripes:** White-tailed Antelope Squirrel has a distinct white stripe that blurs when running, confusing predators about its exact location. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.08-0.14 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 20 km/h - **Litter Size:** 5-12 - **Gestation:** 30-31 days ## Diet & Feeding An omnivore with a varied diet, munching on seeds, fruits, insects, and even tough desert critters. - **Primary Foods:** Seeds, Cactus fruit, Insects, Scorpions, Green plants - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common avian predator in their desert habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — An opportunistic predator in the desert ecosystem. - **Eaten by:** [Western Diamondback Rattlesnake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-diamondback-rattlesnake) (*Crotalus atrox*) — Known to prey on these squirrels and their young. - **Eats:** [Creosote Bush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creosote-bush) (*Larrea tridentata*) — Consumes seeds and green parts of this resilient desert plant. ## 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. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Watch from a distance and don't try to touch or catch them, as they are wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify White-tailed Antelope 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 White-tailed Antelope Squirrel? 20-25 cm ### How much does White-tailed Antelope Squirrel weigh? 0.08-0.14 kg ### How long does White-tailed Antelope Squirrel live? 2-5 years ### How fast can White-tailed Antelope Squirrel move? 20 km/h ### What does White-tailed Antelope Squirrel eat? An omnivore with a varied diet, munching on seeds, fruits, insects, and even tough desert critters. ### Where is White-tailed Antelope Squirrel usually found? Desert ### How does White-tailed Antelope Squirrel hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/red-rock-canyon-national-conservation-area) — Nevada, US · Nature Reserve - [Chaco Culture National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chaco-culture-national-historical-park) — New Mexico, US · National Park - [Alan Bible Visitor Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alan-bible-visitor-center) — Nevada, US · Botanical Garden - [Desert Queen Mine](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/desert-queen-mine) — California, US · Historic Site - [Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ethel-m-botanical-cactus-garden) — Nevada, US · Botanical Garden - [Painted Desert Community Complex Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/painted-desert-community-complex-historic-district) — Arizona, US · Historic District [View all places to see White-tailed Antelope Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/white-tailed-antelope-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: [White-tailed Antelope Squirrel Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-antelope-squirrel)