The Nature of Kern County

Kingdom - ANIMALIA     Phylum - CHORDATA     Subphylum - VERTEBRATA     Class - MAMMALIA     Order - RODENTIA     Family - SCIURIDAE     

Genus - Ammospermophilus     species epithet - nelsoni

Description: Length 8" - 9½". Tail 2½" - 3" Weight 3-5½ oz. Buff, tan, and gray with white stripe running on from shoulder to rump along sides. A white eye-ring surrounds a black eye. Sparsely furred bushy tail that is held curled up the back, shows white undertail.

Habitat: Valley saltbush scrub and non-native annual grassland, occurs in open hilly areas, such as Elk Hills.

Diet: Seeds, insects, and fruits. Stores food in underground burrows.

Breeding: Creates an underground nest of dried vegetation, fur, and bark in solitary burrows. Generally one litter per year, but sometimes two litters of 5-14 young in early spring.

Range: Found only in the Southern San Joaquin Valley from approx. Fresno County south.

Conservation Comments: The San Joaquin Antelope Squirrel is considered a threatened species  the California Department of Fish and Game and species of concern by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service due to loss of habitat.

Comments: Many people mistake this diurnal squirrel for a chipmunk, it is a true squirrel that can sometimes be seen scurrying across roads near Taft.