Melanistic Round-tailed ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus)

Interesting find.

@Arizona Docent thank you! It was actually right behind a mechanic where I had to get my truck fixed.

So if you go to this particular location, I can't promise that you'll find a melanistic Round tailed ground squirrel like I did, but I can promise that you'll see Round tailed ground squirrels and good amount of them. From my observations, the best place to find this species in large numbers in Pima County is at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park near the Catalina Foothills across the street from the Tucson Jewish Community Center. I used to do martial arts training in that park.

The martial arts training comes in handy if the squirrels decide to attack!