A. harrisii A. insularis A. interpres A. leucurus A. nelsoni Antelope squirrels or antelope ground squirrels of the genus Ammospermophilus are sciurids found in the desert and dry scrub areas of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

All the antelope squirrels share a common white stripe along the lateral sides from the shoulder to the hip similar to chipmunks.

[1] In the United States, these ground squirrels are found in the dry, desert like regions of the southwest.

The different members of the genus Ammospermophilus have unique adaptations that allow them to overcome the extreme heat of the day and the low temperatures of the night.

Their skulls also vary in the size of the zygomatic arch (larger in Nelson's) and the inflated auditory bullae and nasal bones of A. nelsoni.

[5] Antelope squirrels are commonly found in dry, shrubby areas of the southern United States into Mexico.

[5] The temperatures in these regions can exceed 37.8 °C (100.0 °F) during the day and require special adaptations by the ground squirrels to survive.

During the night, temperatures in these desert and dry areas may dip below freezing which again requires adaptations to survive.

They participate in a behavior known as caching where seeds, fruits and vegetation are stored in burrows or hidden spots for consumption at a later time.

[9] The ground squirrels are omnivores and will feed on arthropods, insects, and carrion when these food sources are available.

They remain cool during the hot desert days by retreating to their burrows and limiting the majority of activity to the early morning and late evening hours.

Some white-tailed squirrels have been known to sound shrill alarm calls when predators are nearby to warn relatives of incoming danger.

A. interpres live in very hot, arid climates and so have adapted to laying flat (to maximize heat distribution) in a shaded spot against the cool ground.