Antelope | Chipmunk

As expert foragers, they play a vital role in desert ecosystems by dispersing seeds. They are also a primary "snack" for predators like hawks and snakes, keeping the food chain in balance. Expert Observations

These little guys are built for the harsh environments of the American Southwest. They feature a sleek, yellowish-brown or "buffy-clay" coat that blends perfectly with desert sand. The signature "Antelope" flair comes from their white undersides ; when they run, they curl their tails over their backs, showing off the white fur like a miniature Pronghorn antelope. antelope chipmunk

Unlike most mammals that hide during the heat of the day, antelope chipmunks are impressively heat-tolerant . They can handle body temperatures that would be fatal to others, though they do have to take "cooling breaks" in their burrows to shed excess heat. One downside: they are extremely twitchy and difficult to spot for long before they bolt. As expert foragers, they play a vital role

Think Wild - Wildlife Hospital and Conservation Center · 2 years ago They feature a sleek, yellowish-brown or "buffy-clay" coat

A top-tier desert specialist. If you're hiking in the Southwest, keep an eye out for a "white flash" tail—that's your 5-star desert sprinter.