03/10/2026
Barrel Canyon’s gray squirrel, Sciurus Arizonensis, is often described as a friendly little animal, or at least “not afraid of humans or dogs.” It doesn’t like cats, however, and when it sees a skunk or a snake on the prowl it will sit high on a branch and make little barking noises to warn other animals.
Barrel Canyon’s gray squirrels are attracted to the healthy old Arizona Walnut trees rising above the underground aquifer that runs through the heart of Rosemont Valley. The branches of the trees offer protection and places where they can build nests. The squirrels eat walnuts, as well as acorns , nuts, seeds, and berries. The animals don’t mate unless they are eating high-energy foods such as flowering plants. Females usually bear young during years when food is plentiful.
The squirrels are not doing as well as we might think. In Mexico they are becoming rare, due to logging and the clearing of forests for agricultural fields. In Arizona the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service calls them a “Category 2” species, which means they could be on the way toward becoming officially “threatened” or “endangered.” Their willingness to live urban areas may help keep their numbers stable. If Hudbay’s plans to dig the huge open pit mine are approved, tailings from the mine will be dumped into places where our Arizona gray squirrels make their home.
Munoz, P. 1999. “Sciurus arizonensis” Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 3, 2026.
