Description: Rock Squirrels (Otospermophilus variegatus) are large, day-active ground squirrels with a head and body of 10-12 inches, and a somewhat bushy tail of 7-10 inches. The pelage is grayish-brown, often a bit grayer on the neck and shoulders, and with faint gray spots on the back and flanks giving them a mottled (variegated) appearance.

Habitat: Rock Squirrels are creatures of rocky desert areas and rocky canyons, occurring from southern Nevada to Wyoming and south into Texas and Mexico. Look for them in areas where they have boulders to burrow under in the Lower Sonoran (Creosote-Bursage Flats) and Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland) Life Zones.

Taxonomy: Formerly Spermophilus variegatus.

Where to Find: Around Las Vegas, look for Rock Squirrels around campgrounds and picnic areas. Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks seem to have a plethora of Rock Squirrels, but they can also be found in lower-elevation areas closer to home such as Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Comments: Although Rock Squirrels are "ground squirrels," they climb trees quite well.

Rock Squirrels can carry bubonic plague, so avoid setting up camp on or near their burrows.

For more information, see the Animal Diversity Website.