| Antelope squirrels Temporal range: Late Miocene - Recent |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Sciuridae |
| Tribe: | Marmotini |
| Genus: | Ammospermophilus Merriam, 1892 |
| Species | |
|
A. harrisii |
|
The antelope squirrels or antelope ground squirrels are the genus Ammospermophilus of sciurids found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
The antelope squirrels are ground squirrels. They live in desert or dry scrub areas. Since it's very hot, the Antelope Squirrel has a special adaptation. The Antelope Squirrel is able to resist Hyperthermia and can survive body temperatures over 104°F.
Five species are currently recognised, with ranges that overlap little. They are:
All are somewhat similar in appearance and behavior. They are around 14–17 cm long with a 6–10 cm tail, and weigh 110–150 grams. The tail is somewhat flattened. They have a single white stripe on the body and none on the face. They live in burrows, which they dig for themselves. They are diurnal, and do not hibernate (though they become less active during the winter), so they are fairly easily seen.