Ammospermophilus harrisii
Silhouette: Joseph Smit · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~50% in a week ~80%
Harris's antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus harrisii) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in Arizona and New Mexico in the United States, and in Sonora in Mexico. They are adapted to hot weather conditions including a technique called "heat dumping". They have a wide-ranging diet, including both vegetation, insects, small rodents and carrion.
The species is named after Edward Harris. Examples of A. harrisii have distinctive markings on their grey fur, with brown highlights on the sides and legs and a white strip down the side of the torso and encircling their eyes. Their fur grows longer in the winter than it does in the summer. Adults weigh around 4–5 ounces (110–140 g), and measure 8.5–10 inches (22–25 cm) minus their tail, which measures 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm). They can be mistaken for chipmunks.
A. harrisii has a high body temperature of 97-107 degrees Fahrenheit (36.7 - 41.6 °C) In order to protect itself from the heat of the Sonoran Desert, A. harrisii carries their tails over their bodies in order to provide shade. A. harrisii also participates in a heat reduction method where individuals move into shaded positions... Wikipedia →
Recording0:11
United States · 2022
© rockycairn · iNaturalist · CC BY-NC 4.0
Recording0:03
United States · 2025
© luz_azul · iNaturalist · CC BY-NC 4.0
Recording0:09
United States · 2022
© gvbox · iNaturalist · CC BY-NC 4.0
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skansen | 🇸🇪 Sweden | |
| 2 | Bronx Zoo | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Baltic Sea Science Center | 🇸🇪 Sweden |
Possible
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Harris' Antelope Squirrel sighting in Phoenix on a given day, based on 204 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 4th most-seen of the 14 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 50%, and over a week to about 80%, if each day is a fresh chance.
April and October
In those months about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Harris' Antelope Squirrel in Phoenix on a given day, against about 20% in May–September and November–March, the lowest months. Those are among Phoenix's driest months, with about 10 mm of rain a month against 35 mm in January.
Between 8 and 11 am
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Harris' Antelope 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 Harris' Antelope Squirrel sightings, Phoenix has the highest daily chance: about 20%. Next come Mesa (United States, about 20%).
Same family: Sciuridae
The closest relatives of the Harris' Antelope Squirrel that you can see in Phoenix (family Sciuridae, Squirrels) are Round-tailed Ground Squirrel (about 30%) and Rock Squirrel (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Harris' Antelope Squirrel is recorded against all the mammals logged in Phoenix (204 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.
