Ammospermophilus leucurus 253and snakes. This species may be eaten in México; nowhere
is the Texas antelope squirrel considered a pest.
general references: Best, Lewis, et al. 1990; Bolles 1988.
Ammospermophilus leucurus
(Merriam, 1889)
White-Tailed Antelope Squirrel
description: White-tailed antelope squirrels are gray to
slate gray on the dorsum and head, with a white stripe run-
ning along each side. The venter is white to cream. The
snout and legs are suff used with light orange to rust. The
tail is grizzled gray with a whitish underside and a band of
black near the tip of the tail. An orbital eye ring is present.
size: Female—HB 210 mm (202–216 mm); T 61 mm (55–
66 mm); Mass 100.6 g (96.2–104.5 g).
Male—HB 212 mm (188–220 mm); T 56 mm (42–71 mm);
Mass 111.1 g (103.7–116.8 g).
distribution: A. leucurus is found in southeastern Oregon
and eastern California east to Colorado and New Mexico
(USA) and south to Baja California Sur (México).
geographic variation: Nine subspecies are recognized.
A. l. leucurus—the vast majority of the northern and western
range in the USA and extreme northern Baja California
(México). See description above.
A. l. canfi eldiae—central Baja California Sur (México). The
pelage is darker over all colored areas than in A. l. leucu-
rus, and the orbital ring is more pronounced.
A. l. cinamomeus—primarily northern Arizona, southeastern
Utah, and western Colorado (USA). The pelage tends to-
ward a vinaceous cinnamon suff usion.
A. l. escalante—primarily southwestern Utah (USA). This
form is redder in color than A. l. leucurus. The feet are
whitish, a distinguishing characteristic shared only with
A. l. leucurus.
A. l. extimus—southern portion of Baja California Sur
(México). Closely resembling A. l. canfi eldiae, but in com-
parison A. l. extimus is larger and darker colored, tending
toward mikado brown (from Ridgway color standards);
in addition, the winter pelage is shorter, thinner, and
more hispid. The tail is longer than in A. l. leucurus.
A. l. notom—northeastern Utah (USA). This form is distin-
guished by the combination of its redder color, the lack
of all white and black bands on the hairs of the head and
dorsum, and the pale pinkish cinnamon feet.
A. l. peninsulae—northern Baja California (México). The pel-
age is darker, with a more orange cinnamon suff usion
over the colored areas than in A. l. canfi eldiae, and the
orbital ring is less pronounced.
A. l. pennipes—western Colorado and New Mexico (USA). In
summer, the pelage color is grayer and more brownish than
in A. l. cinamomeus, but more vinaceous than in A. l. leucurus.
In winter, the underparts are white; the pelage color is
more grayish than in A. l. cinamomeus, and more vinaceous
than in A. l. leucurus. The lateral stripe is creamy white.Ammospermophilus leucurus. Photo courtesy Doris Potter /
Focus on Nature Tours, Inc.