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Rock squirrel

Otospermophilus variegatus · Squirrels · Small game

Rock squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus): Largest ground squirrel in its range; 430-540 mm body, 600-800 g. Mottled: grayish brown in front, grayish black behind, with indistinct wavy brown-and-black markings. This profile does not establish whether taking it is legal anywhere.

Check rules for a place and dateOpen the rock squirrel map

Certified rules currently represented in Hunt: coverage in development. This is coverage, not a legal answer.

Scientific name
Otospermophilus variegatus
Family
Sciuridae
In North America
Native
Range
Southeastern Nevada, Utah, Colorado and extreme western Oklahoma south through the southwestern US into Mexico; sea level to 2,900 m.
Biology

How to identify it

Largest ground squirrel in its range; 430-540 mm body, 600-800 g. [1][2]

Mottled: grayish brown in front, grayish black behind, with indistinct wavy brown-and-black markings. [1][2]

Buff-white to pinkish underside. [1][2]

Large head and eyes; ears project above the head; long bushy tail, 73-82% of body length. [1][2]

Resembles a tree squirrel more than a typical ground squirrel. [1][2]

Field knowledge

Where it lives

Rocky places: cliffs, canyons, hillsides, arroyos, talus, old buildings and stone walls; not usually open plains, deserts or high montane forest. [1][2]

Field knowledge

How it behaves

Diurnal; peaks midday in spring, fall and winter, morning or late afternoon in summer [1][2]

May hibernate at higher elevations, active all year at lower ones [1][2]

Colonial, with maternal groups and a dominant male [1][2]

Eats nuts, seeds, grain, berries, roots, green plants, cactus, invertebrates and meat [1][2]

Regulatory handoff

Where it is listed for legal take

These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.

Where legal take is listed

Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.

Geospatial intelligence

Where it is found

Southeastern Nevada, Utah, Colorado and extreme western Oklahoma south through the southwestern US into Mexico; sea level to 2,900 m.

Biology

Sources

Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.

  1. NatureServe · reviewed 2026-09-30

    NatureServe

  2. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology · reviewed 2026-09-30

    University of Michigan Museum of Zoology