---
title: "Spotted Ground Squirrel"
description: "Xerospermophilus spilosoma — Zoogdieren. The spotted ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus spilosoma) is a species of ground squirrel in the rodent family Sciuridae."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/nl/animal/spotted-ground-squirrel
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Spotted Ground Squirrel

> Xerospermophilus spilosoma — Zoogdieren. The spotted ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus spilosoma) is a species of ground squirrel in the rodent family Sciuridae.

- Scientific name: *Xerospermophilus spilosoma*
- Category: `mammals` (Zoogdieren)
- Habitats: `grassland` (Weiden en velden), `desert` (Woestijn)
- iNaturalist observations: 1790
- Wikidata: [Q21729782](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21729782)
- iNaturalist taxon: [179992](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/179992)

## Names

- en: Spotted Ground Squirrel
- de: Fleckenziesel
- es: Ardillón punteado
- fr: Spermophile tacheté

## Countries with the most observations

MX (727), US (571)

## Summary

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 hibernation quarters.

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_ground_squirrel

## Photo

![Spotted Ground Squirrel](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/spotted-ground-squirrel/medium.jpg)

Photo: Joshua Smith · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/386270153

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/spotted-ground-squirrel?lang=nl` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).