Here in greater Tucson and the Sonoran desert, we have a fairly large ground squirrel, the Ground Rock Squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus) Spanish name- ardilla. Weighing up to a pound and equipped with excellent digging claws, the Rock Squirrel can be quite a nuisance and harbor fleas-which are known to spread bubonic plague.
Rock Squirrels look similar to a tree squirrel but its ears are set farther back on its head and its coloration, as seen in the one pictured here, may be a combination of speckled grayish brown- with a long bushy tail. They are good climbers, and although you may see them in trees in springtime feeding on young buds, these squirrels dig and live in burrows underground.
My customers most often call for trapping and removal of Rock Squirrels when they find their landscaping, yard, or surrounding desert has been invaded. When these squirrels move in, they tend to dig several burrows with holes large enough to cause a child, horse, or even an adult to trip and possibly get injured. In addition, especially in a landscaped area, the mounds of dirt they excavate when digging their burrow, destroy the contour of the surrounding area and make that area look messy. I try to also remind my customers that, beyond creating a mess in the yard, Rock Ground Squirrels also can carry disease. Because ground squirrel’s fur is constantly in contact with the soil, they can harbor fleas, which can be transferred to your pets, your living area, and back yards where your children play. Fleas have been known to be a source of bubonic plague and, for this reason, I wear gloves when handling any of them-alive or dead.
Rock Squirrels can be seen throughout the year, here in southern Arizona. On the coldest days of December through to March, they may be seen less because they are spending time in their burrows to stay warm, coming out on the very warmest days for a few hours. In higher elevations of Arizona, these squirrels will go into hibernation but, this happens less so here in southern Arizona with these animals instead, taking shorter periods of inactivity in their burrows, known as Torpor. (Torpor is similar to hibernation, in that an animal will reduce its heart rate, drop its temperature and conserve energy. Rock Squirrels, however, do not stay in this state long, here in southern Arizona-usually 1-4 days). You can expect Rock Squirrels to emerge from their burrows during the warmest part of the day in winter.
If you find that you have a problem with Rock Squirrels in your yard, surrounding desert, or feel uncomfortable and believe they have become a nuisance, please give 1st Response Wildlife a call. Also, if you have a pet who has been injured or you find a Rock Squirrel that you would like removed to a rehab center because it cannot fend for itself, please give me a call for that as well.
Thanks, Wildman Josh :)
Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517
Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, squirrels (ardilla) , coatimundi (gato solo), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7. Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!
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