Mammals diurnal

Mohave Ground Squirrel

Xerospermophilus mohavensis

A rare desert gem found only in a small corner of California. The Mohave ground squirrel is a master of timing, emerging for just a few months each year to feast on the desert bloom.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Total length of 21-23 cm (8.3-9.1 inches) and a weight range of 85-130 g (3-4.6 oz)

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Colors

Uniform cinnamon-buff to pinkish-gray upper body with no stripes; creamy white underbelly; tail is dark on top and white underneath

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Key Features

Solid cinnamon-gray coat with no dorsal stripes or spots
Short, flat tail with a distinctive white underside
Slender, aerodynamic body built for desert sprinting
Relatively large, dark eyes and small rounded ears

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 8-11 AM and 3-5 PM

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Season March-May

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Diet A mix of seeds, leaves, and fruits from desert plants like saltbush, winterfat, and fiddleneck; they occasionally supplement their diet with insects.

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Habitat Arid desert scrub with sandy, alluvial, or gravelly soils, specifically associated with Creosote bush and Saltbush communities.

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Behavior

The Mohave ground squirrel is a true desert specialist with a highly unusual life cycle. To survive the extreme conditions of the Mojave Desert, they are only active for a short window each year, typically emerging from their burrows in February and returning to an underground state of dormancy (estivation) as early as July once the vegetation dries up. This means they spend roughly seven to nine months of the year asleep to conserve energy and water.

When active, they are busy, solitary foragers. They spend their days scurrying between shrubs, standing on their hind legs to survey for predators, and gathering as much body fat as possible for their long sleep. They are very wary of humans and pets, relying on their speed and camouflage to disappear into the brush at the first sign of danger.

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Camera Tips

Timing is the single most important factor for capturing the Mohave ground squirrel on camera. Because they are dormant for most of the year, you must have your cameras active between March and June. If it has been a particularly dry winter with little rainfall, they may even skip a breeding season and stay underground longer, so peak activity usually follows a wet winter that produces plenty of spring forage.

Position your camera very low to the ground—no more than 5 to 10 inches high. Look for 'sign' near the base of desert shrubs like Saltbush or Creosote, such as small burrow openings or flattened areas in the sand where they may forage. Angle the camera to face a clear patch of ground between shrubs, as they are most visible when crossing open spaces. Because these squirrels move with lightning speed, use a camera with a fast trigger speed (under 0.4 seconds) and set it to take a 3-shot burst to ensure you get a clear frame.

Avoid placing cameras in high-traffic areas near your home; these squirrels are highly sensitive to disturbance. Instead, look for the quietest, most natural parts of your property. If you are in a legal area to do so, a shallow, low-profile water dish can be a magnet for them during the hot afternoons in May and June. Ensure the dish is at ground level so it doesn't look out of place in their environment.

Lighting in the desert can be harsh, often blowing out the colors of a pale squirrel against pale sand. Try to position your camera so it is not facing directly into the morning or evening sun. North-facing setups often provide the most consistent lighting. Since they look very similar to the more common White-tailed Antelope Squirrel, use high-resolution settings to help you check for the absence of side stripes, which confirms you've found the rare Mohave species.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Mohave Ground Squirrel.

White-tailed Antelope Squirrel

The Antelope Squirrel has a distinct white stripe on its sides and carries its tail curled over its back, while the Mohave lacks any stripes.

Round-tailed Ground Squirrel

The Round-tailed version has a longer, more cylindrical tail and generally prefers flatter, more silty desert basins compared to the Mohave's gravelly haunts.

California Ground Squirrel

Significantly larger with a mottled 'salt and pepper' coat and a bushier tail; usually found in less arid environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are strictly diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They prefer the mid-morning and late afternoon when temperatures are warm but not dangerously hot. In the peak of summer heat, they may only be out for a few hours in the early morning.

The best way to attract them is by preserving or planting native desert vegetation like Saltbush (Atriplex) and Winterfat. Providing a small, ground-level water source during the dry spring months can also encourage them to visit, provided the area is quiet and free of domestic cats and dogs.

Their diet consists of seeds, flowers, and leaves from desert shrubs and annuals. They are particularly fond of the nutritious seeds of native grasses and the fleshy leaves of saltbushes, which provide both calories and hydration.

No, they are quite rare and listed as a threatened species in California. They generally avoid developed suburban areas, preferring undisturbed desert scrub, though they may be found on the rural fringes of desert communities in the western Mojave.

The easiest way is to look for stripes. White-tailed Antelope Squirrels have a prominent white stripe running down each side of their body, while the Mohave ground squirrel has a solid, uniform cinnamon-buff coat with no stripes or spots at all.

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