The White-tailed Antelope Squirrel is a heat-tolerant ground squirrel of American deserts that remains active in midday summer temperatures that would be lethal to most small mammals. It periodically presses its belly against cool rocks or shaded ground to dump excess heat in a behavior called postural heat exchange. The squirrel's white tail underside is flashed when running, possibly as an anti-predator signal.
Habitat
Desert scrub, rocky slopes, and dry washes
Diet
Seeds, cacti fruit, insects, and small lizards
How common
Common
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