Illustrations of habitat map and the Mohave ground squirrel

The Mohave ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis) is small and brown brown with bristly hairs at the tip of it tail distinguishing them from their close relatives the round-railed ground squirrels (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus). These squirrels inhabit the west Mojave Desert of southern California. USGS-WERC researchers and collaborators developed habitat models for the squirrel that were used for conflict resolution in the development of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.