Wednesday, June 16, 2010

A little squirrel tail

In the Sonoran Desert, we have "Round-tailed" Ground Squirrels.  As you can see, their tails are smaller than those of tree squirrels.  There aren't many tall trees in the desert so these squirrels don't need big bushy tails for balancing.  They live underground and most of their food is found on or close to the ground.
Here's a squirrel in a creosote bush eating seeds.
See how he held onto the branch with his hind foot.
Notice the different ways they can use their tails for support while standing. 
This baby squirrel puffed up its tail.  It probably wanted me to go away, so I did. :)
If you like squirrels, check out the Plantain Squirrel in a Malaysian jungle at Rainfield's place.

24 comments:

rainfield61 said...

You have very funny squirrels in a desert.

I thought of the monkeys in my jungle while looking at your squirrels.

tom sullivan said...

Thanks for the fun primer on Round-tailed Ground Squirrels!

Gaelyn said...

Must be a squirrely day. Your round-taileds are so very different than the Rock squirrel I posted today.

Tracy said...

This is the second squirrel photo I have seen today! I've been watching the squrrels chase each other while I'm back in the Midwest. They are so much fun to watch. I really think that picture of the squirrel standing up using its tail is cute!

cieldequimper said...

Love your red arrow!!
These are so different from 'usual' squirrels! When they are standing up, they look almost like meercats! Lovely set of photos!

betchai said...

wow, i am not very knowledgeable about the different type of squirrels and it is great to know more about them, for me, all squirrels are squirrels :(
thanks for the information and great photos too

Betty Manousos said...

Rare photos! Well done!
Thank you for sharing these!
B :)

Luzia said...

Absolute funny little guys:-)) I would like to have some of them in my garden..... Greetings from Luzia.

Unknown said...

How absolutely adorable! Leeetle tails, BIIIIG eyes! :o)

That's nice of you to leave him alone when he asked you to. I appreciate your respect for his space.

Martha Z said...

Cute, but much skinnier than the squirrels I see.

Unknown said...

Such funny little things! I am pleased to be introduced to them! Thankyou!

Brenda's Arizona said...

Wow, lovely lovely photos! You either are very patient or very lucky - either way, you are a great photographer!

Costea Andrea Mihai said...

wonderful capture!! regards

Stephanie said...

But the squirrel is so thin.... defintely needs the tail to support.

Nonetheless, cute photos :-D

PJ van Zyl said...

interesting fella

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

The first one is definitely giving you the evil eye Diane but the baby is the cutest!! :)

Loree said...

Very interesting. I did not realise that not all squirrels have big bushy tails.

Prospero said...

i see you found the Geico gecko....

SquirrelQueen said...

They are so cute, this is a type of squirrel I have never seen before. I am amazed at the way they use their tails to stand. The last one of the baby is just precious.

Jen said...

These put my squirrels to shame as far as cuteness goes. :)

Clytie said...

They are amazing! Very very high on the 'adorable' scale.

Without all the fur, they seem to be a little naked, but it works for them!

Joanne Olivieri said...

I've never seen this species he is very unique looking but still as cute as all the others :)

Ayie said...

oh whasyt happened to its tail? i like the puffy one

Lindy said...

A very interesting post, and great images! I had no idea they could puff up their tails.