Mohave Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus mohavensis)

The Mohave Ground Squirrel. Image Source: www.tortoise-tracks.org/denizens/mgs.html

The Mohave Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus mohavensis) is a small rodent that is listed as threatened by the California Endangered Species Act. Because of their relatively isolated location, not much is known about their needs and behavior.

Located only in the western side of the Mohave Desert in the southwestern United States, the Mohave Ground Squirrel is acclimated to a dry, desert environment. They live in underground burrows, most often among the roots of the creosote bush. These burrows can be very extensive, sometimes as much as 20 feet long (6 meters) and 3 feet deep (1 meter).

The Mohave Ground Squirrel is a small rodent, growing only to about 8 or 9 inches (20-22 cm). They have long tails, averaging about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm). Their fur is typically reddish-gray with an almost red-brown tail. Their underbelly and the underside of the tail is white, and they don’t really have any markings or stripes.

Ground squirrels are seed eaters, spermophilus literally translates to "seed lover" in Greek. They will also eat fruit and green plants when available, eating and storing as much as possible in the spring and summer until they hibernate. In the middle of the summer, the Mohave Ground Squirrel retreats to its underground burrow to sleep through the heat of the summer. Winter in the desert often brings rain, and this cues the squirrel to emerge and hunt for new greenery. As there is often no free water available, the squirrels are able to get the moisture that they need from the seeds and plants they consume.

After their long hibernation, the male ground squirrels will come out to find a female to mate. They have been known to range over a mile every day just to find a female. Gestation is usually less than a month, and litters are usually between six and nine young. They are usually weaned after only about a month and will leave the nest. Often, the young ground squirrels will settle close to their mother’s burrow, but sometimes a young male will travel far, often up to four miles, to establish his own territory.

Interestingly, the Mohave Ground Squirrel seems to control its population and food sources by refusing to mate when there is significantly low rainfall. They will often hibernate early, sometimes as early as April, and wait until the next year to try again. This leads to near extinction in the areas with little or no rain, but the population seems to increase steadily after the rains return.

Further Information on the Mohave Ground Squirrel:

E-mail info@unitedstatesfauna.com to add your Mohave Ground Squirrel related website.

Bibliography:
Ground Squirrel. Encarta Encyclopedia, © 2000.
Phil Leitner. Mohave Ground Squirrel, © 1999. August 5, 2004. http://www.tortoise-tracks.org/denizens/mgs.html
Mohave Ground Squirrel, eNature.com, August 5, 2004. http://enature.com/fieldguide/showSpeciesIMG.asp?imageID=18805
California Department of Fish and Game. MO73, August 5, 2004. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/whdab/html/M073.html