#0506 · 🦊 mammals

Spotted Ground Squirrel

Xerospermophilus spilosoma

LCleast concern 🦊 Mammals 📍 outside Europe

8 photos from iNaturalist (Creative Commons) · credits & licences

what is it?

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...

base stats

NL sightings 0iNaturalist, research grade
worldwide 1,819iNaturalist observations
threat LCleast concern

Bars compare against all animals on log scales: up to 300,000 Dutch and 600,000 worldwide sightings (the most-seen species), 150 t (blue whale), 30 m and 400 years (Greenland shark).

fun facts

No confirmed wild sightings in the Netherlands on iNaturalist: you'd have to travel for this one.
1,819 observations worldwide on iNaturalist.
Scientifically named by Edward Turner Bennett in 1833 (193 years ago).