Anybody in the southwestern deserts (So Cal and Arizona) have experience with this critter?  They look and act like chipmunks, but with a white stripe down each side.  Cute as can be.

Anyway, I have two that come over and raid my compost pile and steal sunflower seeds from my plants and bird feeders.   Not a problem.  

My question is...do they also eat figs?  If they eat a couple...no big.   But if they really go after them...that's entirely different.

I know we just had a similar thread.   But I want to know about experiences with this particular critter.   They're so darn cute and fun to watch that I don't want to get rid of them unless they're gonna be a problem.

Thanks

You mean this critter?

Close.   But no cigar...

Closer.   Cute little buggers.  

But are they destructive?  Inquireing minds want to know.

I guess you are going to find out! I read that they are omnivores and eat mice sometimes!

Eating mice is cool.  Eating lizards...or especially figs...not so much.

I saw one lounging on top of the block wall today.  Spread out prone and just relaxing in the morning sun.  They do that to shed (or acquire) heat from their surroundings.  There was a lizard just below him on the wall, and he didn't seem interested, so either they don't eat lizards, or he was too full of cherry tomatoes from my compost pile to care.

Ya...they're cute little buggers.   I was hoping some of my fellow southwest growers would share their experiences with them.   I mean...do I trap and move them or can I leave them alone?  

The softer side of me wants to let them stay and enjoy their antics.  

But if they eat figs......

I prefer Havana's but Dominican's will do just fine. I believe this is what your looking for . I used to see them all the time when I was stationed at White Sands. They would raid the community gardens . On post there was an eatable Garden park with fruit trees and desert tropical's . I never seen them eat a fig out of the garden , I do know that they love Dates.

http://www.wildlifenorthamerica.com/Mammal/Harriss-Antelope-Squirrel/Ammospermophilus/harrisii.html

Yup.  That's him, Cody.
 
Like I said, they are fun to watch.   If you say you never saw them eat figs, then I may just give them a chance. 

Havana's, aye?  

I often see the remains of barrel cactus fruit that they've chewed open to get the seeds. I haven't seen any antelope squirrels in my neighborhood so I can't say whether they would eat your figs, but given a choice between cactus seeds and fresh figs I know what I'd choose.

Several years ago I watched one straining to pull a not-quite-ready fruit off a small barrel cactus and was able to get several photos, from which I did a little painting. Unfortunately, I found that art collectors were more into bull elk and other critters with antlers. Maybe I should have exercised my artistic license and doctored him up like rcantor's "jackalope"!

Never seen it around these parts.  How hot is it there?  Relaxing in the 95 degree morning sun?   Maybe somethings wrong with him.  I would stay away from rodents.  They carry all kinds of stuff.  Don't want to get the plague or hantavirus. 

In Texas, there are rare sightings of that Jackalope"  Half Jackrabbit !
Usually, between Lubbock and Pampa. HA!!!

Gosh!  Can't believe I know enough about Texas to know exactly the route between Pampa and Lubbock!  Got a trumped up speeding ticket on that road...  Never saw a jackalope, but we have a restaurant here called Jackalope Ranch.

Haven't seen your little antelope squirrel in So CA yet, but they don't allow any critters on the golf course, except for bull frogs, ducks, and coyotes.

He is very cute, but I do know squirrels eat figs, and if he's dubbed a squirrel, better watch out!

Suzi

Ken, great painting.

Nice work Ken!

Very nice painting Ken!  Kinda discouraging.  Once we get our desired acreage, the plan is to plant prickly pear as barriers against critters (both 2 and 4 legged) and also for the delicious fruit and vegetable value.  Thought it would discourage things like rabbits and squirrels, but obviously, I was wrong!

If these things will go for a prickly pear, they will definitely go for a fig!

Suzi