The San Joaquin antelope squirrel is a threatend species; I found this one in the Carrizo Plain on a recent trip. It's also known as the Nelson's Antelope Ground Squirrel. Why two names? Dunno.


It is a small ground-dwelling squirrel with tiny rounded ears and relatively short tail and legs. It is light brown in color with a light-colored stripe on each of its sides. The tail is light gray or whitish on the underside and is usually held in a vertical position when sitting or curled over the back when running.


This species inhabits the arid grassland, shrubland, and alkali sink habitats of the San Joaquin Valley and adjacent foothills. The squirrels are active year-round and live in burrows that are either modifications of kangaroo rat (Dipodomys spp.) burrows or ones the squirrels constructed themselves. They are omnivores whose diets are dependent on food availability. Items consumed include green vegetation, fungi, seeds, and more commonly, insects.

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Make:	OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Model:	E-M1X
Exposure:	0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture:	f/5.6
ISO Speed:	400
Focal Length:	459 mm
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