White-tailed Antelope Squirrel, A. leucurus (New Mexico, southern Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and north to Oregon). The most widely distributed species in the genus.
Texas Antelope Squirrel, A. interpres (Texas, New Mexico)
Insular Antelope Squirrel, A. insularis Espiritu Santo Island Baja California Sur (some authorities treat this as a subspecies of A. leucurus).
All are somewhat similar in appearance and behavior. They are around 14-17cm long with a 6-10cm tail, and weigh 110-150 grams. The tail is somewhat flattened. They have a single white stripe on the body and none on the face. They live in burrows, which they dig for themselves. They are diurnal, and do not hibernate (though they become less active during the winter), so they are fairly easily seen.
Antelope ground squirrels can be distinguished from other squirrel-like rodents by their well developed white stripe extending from shoulder to hip on each side.
The rock squirrel is the largest of the ground squirrels and is often confused with a tree squirrel.
The rock squirrel is associated with rocky habitats and is absent from the southwestern desert areas of the state.
A small ground squirrel with one narrow white line on each side of back from shoulder to rump, and underside of tail grayish white, the lateral tail hairs with three fl bands; upperparts vinaceous buff in summer and drab gray in winter; ears short, hardly more than a rim; tail held over back in life.
These squirrels are characteristic of desert regions in the southwest where they live chiefly around the edges of the lower valleys and in the low hills.
Antelope ground squirrels are one of the few mammals that may remain active during the hottest parts of west Texas summer days.
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