Ammospermophilus harrisii
(Audubon and Bachman, 1854)
Harris's Antelope Squirrel
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.103116
Element CodeAMAFB04010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilySciuridae
GenusAmmospermophilus
Concept ReferenceWilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.
Conservation Status
Review Date1996-11-06
Change Date1996-11-06
Range Extent CommentsSouthern Arizona and extreme southwestern New Mexico south into the northwest mainland of Mexico (Sonora). Below 1350 m.
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Low dry, sparsely vegetated desert; open areas in plains, valleys, canyons, and river bottoms. Saltbush-creosote bush- bursage, usually in areas with rocky soil or rocky slopes, but in sandy areas in some regions (see Best et al. 1990 for further details). In underground burrow when inactive. Burrow openings near or under bushes, in cactus thickets, or among rocks. May climb onto vegetation (OPUNTIA). Young are born in underground burrows.
Ecology
In southeastern Arizona, density ranged from 0.08 to 0.36 per ha; never abundant, occurs as scattered individuals (Best et al. 1990).
Reproduction
In Arizona, breeds mostly in February or early March, also as early as December-January. Gestation probably lasts about 30 days. Litter size averages 6-7. Young fully haired at 3-4 weeks, first emerge from burrows at 4-5 weeks, weaned by 7 weeks. In southern Arizona, young were first observed in May; half-grown young observed in Sonora in late March. Apparently one litter per year, possibly sometimes two. Females sexually mature in spring following their birth.
Terrestrial HabitatsDesertPlaya/salt flat
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN5
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Arizona | S5 | Yes |
| New Mexico | S3 | Yes |
References (10)
- Allred, D. M., and D. E. Beck. 1963a. Ecological distribution of some rodents at the Nevada atomic test site. Ecology. 44:211-214.
- American Society of Mammalogists (ASM). 2024. The Mammal Diversity Database (MDD). Online. Available: www.mammaldiversity.org
- Best, T. L., et al. 1990. Ammospermophilus harrisii. Am. Soc. Mamm., Mammalian Species No. 366:1-7.
- Bradley, W. G. 1967. Home range, activity patterns, and ecology of the antelope ground squirrel in southern Nevada. Southwestern Naturalist 12:231-252.
- Hall, E. R. 1981a. The Mammals of North America, second edition. Vols. I & II. John Wiley & Sons, New York, New York. 1181 pp.
- Hawbecker, A. C. 1958. Survival and home range in the Nelson antelope ground squirrel. Journal of Mammalogy 39:207-215.
- Hoffmeister, D. F. 1986. Mammals of Arizona. University of Arizona Press and Arizona Game and Fish Department. 602 pp.
- Jones, J. K., Jr., R. S. Hoffman, D. W. Rice, C. Jones, R. J. Baker, and M. D. Engstrom. 1992a. Revised checklist of North American mammals north of Mexico, 1991. Occasional Papers, The Museum, Texas Tech University, 146:1-23.
- Mammalian Species, nos. 1-604. Published by the American Society of Mammalogists.
- Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.