Round-tailed Ground Squirrel

To capture the best footage of Round-tailed Ground Squirrels, position your camera low to the ground—no more than 6 to 10 inches high. These squirrels are relatively small and stay close to the earth, so a high angle will miss the fine details of their expressive faces. Aim your lens toward the base of mesquite trees or near visible burrow entrances in sandy patches. Since they are most active in the early morning and late afternoon when the sun is low, try to position the camera facing north or south to avoid direct lens flare during these peak activity windows.

While we don't recommend heavy baiting, placing a shallow saucer of water in a dry desert yard is the ultimate 'camera trap' for these thirsty rodents. They are highly attracted to the sound and sight of water in the arid Southwest. If you want to encourage them to pause in front of the lens, a small scattering of native birdseed or unsalted sunflower seeds near a natural prop, like a sun-bleached log or a flat rock, will keep them busy long enough for a high-quality recording. Ensure your camera's trigger speed is set to the fastest possible setting, as their movements can be incredibly quick and erratic when they sense danger.

Seasonal timing is crucial for this species. They disappear underground for long stretches during the winter and the hottest, driest weeks of mid-summer. For the best results, set your cameras out in late February through May. This is their primary breeding season when they are most active, social, and prone to 'periscoping'—standing tall on their hind legs to scan for mates and rivals, which makes for fantastic video content. Use a 'burst' photo mode or short 15-second video clips to capture these dynamic behaviors without filling up your SD card too quickly.