Mammals Daytime

White-tailed Antelope Squirrel

Ammospermophilus leucurus

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A pint-sized powerhouse of the American Southwest, the White-tailed Antelope Squirrel is a desert sprinter that defies the midday heat with a flash of its iconic tail.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 7.5 to 9.4 inches (19 to 24 cm); Weight: 3 to 5.5 ounces (85 to 156 grams)

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Colors

Grayish-brown or tan upper body with a single, distinct white stripe on each side; the underside of the body is creamy white, and the underside of the tail is a brilliant, flashing white.

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Key Features

Single white stripe on each side of the body running shoulder to rump
Tail held curled over the back, revealing a bright white underside
Lacks facial stripes common in similar-looking chipmunks
Small, rounded ears and a stocky, ground-dwelling build

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet An opportunistic omnivore that primarily feeds on seeds, cactus fruits, and green vegetation. They also hunt for insects like grasshoppers and beetles, and will occasionally consume small lizards or carrion to satisfy their need for protein and moisture.

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Habitat Arid and semi-arid deserts, rocky foothills, and scrublands, particularly areas with saltbush, greasewood, or Joshua trees.

Behavior

The White-tailed Antelope Squirrel is a desert specialist, famous for its high tolerance for extreme heat. Unlike many other desert creatures that retreat during the hottest part of the day, these energetic rodents are frequently seen darting across open ground even when temperatures soar. They manage this by a behavior known as 'heat dumping'—periodically retreating to a burrow or spreading their bodies flat against cool, shaded soil to transfer excess body heat to the earth before resuming their frantic foraging.

These squirrels are generally solitary but may live in loose colonies where several individuals share overlapping territories. They communicate through high-pitched, bird-like whistles and utilize their tails as a signaling device. When running, they flip their tail over their back, exposing the bright white underside; this may serve as a 'distraction display' for predators or a warning signal to other squirrels. Despite their small size, they are remarkably bold and curious, often becoming accustomed to human presence in desert-edge neighborhoods.

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Camera Tips

Capturing high-quality footage of these lightning-fast squirrels requires a camera with a very rapid trigger speed. Because they are strictly ground-dwellers, place your camera very low—ideally just 4 to 6 inches off the ground. Aiming the lens at a flat rock or a cleared patch of sandy soil near the base of a creosote bush or prickly pear cactus is ideal, as these are natural 'pit stops' where the squirrels frequently pause to scan for danger.

To encourage them to linger long enough for a clear photo, use a natural lure like a small pile of unsalted sunflower seeds or a piece of cactus fruit. Secure the bait near a textured log or a colorful rock to create a more professional, visually interesting composition. Since they are active during the brightest parts of the day, ensure your camera is positioned to avoid direct lens flare from the desert sun; north-facing setups usually provide the most consistent lighting and prevent 'white-out' from overexposure on their pale fur.

Adjust your camera settings to a high-speed 'Burst Mode' or set it to record short video clips (10-15 seconds). These squirrels move with a jerky, stop-and-start motion, and a single photo often catches only a blurred tail. Using a high-resolution video setting allows you to observe their unique 'heat dumping' behavior or the way they twitch their tail over their back. During the spring months, look for signs of burrow entrances near rocky outcroppings and place your camera several feet back to capture the young pups emerging for the first time.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with White-tailed Antelope Squirrel.

Least Chipmunk

Chipmunks have prominent facial stripes and multiple body stripes, while the White-tailed Antelope Squirrel has a plain face and only one stripe per side.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Unlike many desert animals that sleep during the heat, White-tailed Antelope Squirrels are active throughout the daylight hours. They are most visible from mid-morning to late afternoon, even when temperatures exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you live in a desert environment, you can attract them by offering a shallow, ground-level water source and planting native shrubs like saltbush. Providing a small amount of birdseed or unsalted sunflower seeds near rocky cover will quickly draw them into view of your camera.

Their diet is highly varied, consisting of seeds, cactus fruit, and green foliage. They also act as predators, eating insects and occasionally small reptiles to supplement their moisture intake in dry environments.

Yes, they are quite common in suburban neighborhoods that border natural desert or rocky scrublands. They adapt well to xeriscaped yards that offer plenty of rocks, crevices, and native desert plants for cover.

The easiest way is to look at the head: chipmunks have stripes on their faces, while Antelope Squirrels do not. Additionally, the Antelope Squirrel has a single white stripe on its side, whereas chipmunks usually have multiple dark and light stripes.

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