Otospermophilus is a genus of ground squirrels in the family Sciuridae, containing three species from Mexico and the United States. Otospermophilus was formerly placed in the large ground squirrel genus Spermophilus, as a subgenus or species group. I’ve documented below all three species and several subspecies of this genus

In this gallery:

• Baja California Rock Squirrel (Otospermophilus atricapillus)

• California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi)

• Rock Squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus grammurus)

The California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi), also known as the Beechey ground squirrel,[4] is a common and easily observed ground squirrel of the western United States and the Baja California Peninsula; it is common in Oregon and California and its range has relatively recently extended into Washington and northwestern Nevada. Formerly placed in Spermophilus, as Spermophilus beecheyi, it was reclassified in Otospermophilus in 2009, as it became clear that Spermophilus as previously defined was not a natural (monophyletic) group.[5] A full species account was published for this species in 2016.

The squirrel's upper parts are mottled, with the fur containing a mixture of gray, light brown and dusky hairs. The shoulders, neck and sides are a lighter gray. The fur around the eyes is whitish. The underside is lighter, buff or grayish yellow. Head and body are about 30 cm (12 in) long and the tail an additional 15 centimetres (5.9 in). They can weigh from 280 to 738 g (9.9 to 26.0 oz). The tail is relatively bushy for a ground squirrel, and at a quick glance, the squirrel might be mistaken for a fox squirrel.

As is typical for ground squirrels, California ground squirrels live in burrows, which they excavate themselves. Some burrows are occupied communally, but each squirrel has its own entrance. Although they readily become tame in areas used by humans, and quickly learn to take food left or offered by picnickers, they spend most of their time within 25 m (80 ft) of their burrows, and rarely go further than 50 m (160 ft) from it.

In the colder parts of their range, California ground squirrels hibernate for several months, but in areas where winters have no snow, most squirrels are active year-round. In those parts where the summers are hot, they may also estivate for periods of a few days.

California ground squirrels are often regarded as pests in gardens and parks, since they eat ornamental plants and trees. They commonly feed on seeds, such as oats, but also eat insects such as crickets and grasshoppers, as well as various fruits

California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi beecheyi) - Southern California and Coastal California, Pinnacles NM

California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi parvulus) - Joshua Tree National Park, Idyllwild Nature Center San Jacinto National Forest

Fisher’s California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi fisheri) - Carrizo Plains California

California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi nudipes) - Near Ensenada Baja California

Sierra California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi sierrae) - Calaveras County California

The Rock Squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae and is native to Mexico and the Southwestern United States, including southern Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas, and the panhandle of Oklahoma.

Rock squirrels are one of the largest members of the family Sciuridae, with adults measuring up to 21 inches (53 cm) in length. In front and on top, the squirrel's coat is a speckled grayish brown; on the rear and bottom, the gray becomes a more mottled brownish-black tone. They have a marked light-colored ring around their eyes and pointed ears that project well above their heads. Rock squirrels have a long, bushy tail with white edges.

Because of their specialized habitat requirements, there's very select states in the US where these creatures can sustain themselves. These squirrels inhabit rocky mountains, canyon walls, cliffs, and steep rocky hills and there's only a few areas within North America with such type of landscape. These squirrels can be found throughout the southern US border along with Mexico in states like California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico and parts of West Texas.[9] Contrary to popular belief, in Mexico these squirrels are not found eastern coastal lowlands, but they inhabit areas of Jalisco, Guerrero, Mexico, Morelos, Colima and Puebla. In the western edge of the range of these squirrels in the US, they mostly inhabit parts of southeasternmost corners of California, which includes some of the most arid areas in the entire state.

Rock Squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus grammurus) - New Mexico, Texas, Southern California, Nevada

Utah Rock Squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus utah) - Northern Arizona, Flagstaff

The Baja California rock squirrel (Otospermophilus atricapillus) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to Baja California, Mexico.

Baja California Rock Squirrel (Otospermophilus atricapillus) - Catavina Desert Area Baja California