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Mohave ground squirrel, juvenile. Photo Credit: Mark Allaback, Biosearch Environmental Consulting
Mohave Ground Squirrel 5-Year Species Review - How You Can Help
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has initiated a five-year species review for the state threatened Mohave ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis) to inform the California Fish and Game Commission's decision on whether to retain or change the status of the species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). As part of this process, we are seeking information or data on Mohave ground squirrel. To submit information or data, or to provide questions or comments about the review process, please email the Wildlife Diversity Program and include “Mohave ground squirrel” in the subject line. The deadline to submit data and comments is October 28, 2023, to allow sufficient time for evaluation.
The Mohave ground squirrel is a small rodent endemic to the western Mojave Desert of California and has one of the smallest geographic ranges of any North American ground squirrel. Threats include range contraction due to habitat loss, habitat degradation and fragmentation, and climate change, including increased severity and persistence of drought. It was listed under the original enactment of CESA in 1971.
The purpose of a five-year species review is to use the best scientific information available to determine if the conditions that led to the original species listing are still present or have changed since listing and recommend retaining or changing the status of the species (Fish & G. Code, §§ 2072.3 & 2077). Process information, along with recently completed reviews, are available on our web page for Five-Year Reviews of Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species. Take of this species is prohibited without an appropriate permit for scientific, educational or management purposes. For more information on permitting, visit our CESA permits web page.
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