![]() ![]() They have sharp claws which help them to dig their burrows or climb on trees whenever needed.This helps them to evade their predators. Their bodies are covered with dark brown or black hairs which blend very well with the rocky surroundings of their natural habitat.Some of their common adaptations have been described below: They are efficient in protecting themselves from predatory species. ![]() The Rock squirrels have adapted quite well to their environment. Picture 2 – Rock Squirrel Picture Adaptations The most common predators of rock squirrels include bobcats, coyotes, gray foxes, roadrunners, golden eagles, hawks and snakes. They may choose tree hollows as well for building their dens. Rock squirrels generally build their burrows beneath rocks. They are frequently seen grazing on mountainous cliffs, talus slopes, canyon walls, boulder piles, rocks and highway fills. Rock squirrels are mostly found in rocky areas. They are also frequently seen in New Mexico as well as in various other locations all across Mexico. Rock Squirrels are most commonly found in different parts of USA, such as Southern Nevada, California, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Oklahoma and in the western parts of Texas. They sometimes store food in their dens to eat them later. They also love fleshy foods in their diet and prefer insects such as caterpillars, grasshoppers and crickets as well as feed on carrion of dead animals. They like to eat walnuts, pine nuts, seeds of mesquite, saltbush, cactus, wild gourd, agave, spurge, sumac, cherries, as well as various types of fruits and vegetables. ![]() Rock squirrels living in southern areas may not choose to hibernate at all. However, it is believed that their hibernation is short and incomplete as they have been seen foraging above ground on mild winter days. The hibernation period lasts from August to February. Rock squirrels hibernate for 6 to 8 months. They are sometimes considered as pests due to their habit of destroying crops. ![]() Rock squirrels often store large quantities of food for winter which indicate that they either do not hibernate during the winter months or that the hibernation is short and incomplete. They also frequently hang around on rocky areas such as cliffs, canyons and hillsides. They also sometimes choose tree hollows to den themselves. The entrances to these burrows are normally hidden behind rocks. Rock squirrels normally den in burrows which often tend to be lengthy and complex. They have been frequently found on top of junipers, agaves and mesquites in search of food. The Rock squirrels are ground squirrels but they can easily climb trees and higher platforms. They give out a sharp, oscillating call when they are threatened or alarmed. In some cases, a group may also consist of some subordinate males. The males protect their own groups by fighting with other males. A colony will typically consist of a dominant male and several females. They prefer to live mostly in colonies and have a very social nature. They tend to be mostly shy and are difficult to spot at close range. Rock squirrels are diurnal creatures they are mostly active during the periods of early morning and late afternoons when the temperature is warm. The males are larger in size than the females. The average weight of these squirrels lies between 450 grams and 875 grams. The eyes have a light colored ring around them. The head, shoulders and the rest of the body are often covered with varying amounts of gray or black. The gray shade takes a darker brownish black tone on the lower half of the body. The spots occasionally seem to produce a wave-like striped appearance. Their backs are covered by a grayish-brown coat which has got tiny speckles of white. The tails are dark in color and have whitish edges. The average tail length of an adult squirrel is around 210 mm. They have long, bushy tails which grow almost as long as their bodies. They grow up to a length of around 17 to 21 inches. The Rock squirrels are considered to be one of the largest squirrel species. ![]()
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