Xerospermophilus spilosoma
Silhouette: Joseph Smit · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~60% in a week ~90%
The spotted ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus spilosoma) is a species of ground squirrel in the rodent family Sciuridae. It is found throughout Mexico and the central and western United States. Characterized by a white spotted back, the spotted ground squirrel is one of the smallest squirrels found in North America. They are mainly herbivorous, but also eat insects. A burrowing mammal, the spotted ground squirrel will make tunnels to store its food, as well as shelter and hibernation quarters.
The spotted ground squirrel is one of the smallest squirrels to inhabit the northern hemisphere. It has many white linear dorsal spots, as well as a white underbelly. Coloration of the rest of its body varies greatly and can be different shades of brown, black, gray and white. Its skull resembles that of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, but is slightly broader in the interorbital and rostral regions. A unique characteristic of the skull is the presence of especially large auditory bullae. X. spilosoma has two pelages and molts each year. Adults emerging from hibernation usually display thicker pelages, which are shed by the springtime. Juveniles tend to have darker pelages... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Padre Island National Seashore | 🇺🇸 United States |
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ciudad Juárez | 🇲🇽 México | |
| 2 | Torreón | 🇲🇽 México |
Possible
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Spotted Ground Squirrel sighting in Ciudad Juárez on a given day, based on 17 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. Over three days the chance rises to about 60%, and over a week to about 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.
August
In that month about 50% of wildlife watchers report a Spotted Ground Squirrel in Ciudad Juárez on a given day, against under 5% in March, June and October–January, the lowest months. That is one of Ciudad Juárez's wettest months, with about 50 mm of rain against 5 mm in April.
Between 9 am and noon
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Spotted Ground Squirrel sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Yes
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Spotted Ground Squirrel sightings, Ciudad Juárez has the highest daily chance: about 30%. Next come Torreón (México, about 20%).
Same family: Sciuridae
The closest relatives of the Spotted Ground Squirrel that you can see in Ciudad Juárez (family Sciuridae, Squirrels) are Rock Squirrel (about 30%) and Fox Squirrel (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Spotted Ground Squirrel is recorded against all the mammals logged in Ciudad Juárez (17 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
