The 180-plus acres of the Cibolo trails and the Herff Farm are home to a variety of animals throughout the year. We are in such a unique position, literally, being close to urban areas but still being surrounded by diverse wildlife.
To live well alongside nature, it is important to understand more about our animal neighbors. If you have visited the Cibolo Nature Center, you have no doubt seen our friend, the black rock squirrel, running around the courtyard and through oak motte. But what sets him apart from the beige and brown tree squirrels we see everywhere else?
There are three subspecies of rock squirrels found in Texas, with their color varying based on the area in which they live. Our Hill Country rock squirrels are a striking black color on their heads and upper body, and salt-and-pepper shaded on their hind quarters and tail.
Unlike their tree squirrel relatives, they make their homes in burrows underground normally near cliffs, boulder piles, and rocky areas. Despite being ground-dwellers, they are still excellent climbers. While Rock squirrels can eat small insects and vertebrates, they are predominantly herbivorous eating nuts, berries and plants.
During the heat of the summer, they are most active in the evenings and early mornings, to avoid overheating. During the winter, rock squirrels are facultative hibernators, only entering hibernation when they are food deprived or extremely cold, and they store up food weeks prior in preparation. In southern areas, with warmer winters, rock squirrels have been observed as active all year long, without a hibernation period.
Rock squirrels have an inner and outer coat of fur which can change density and absorptivity in response to season and temperature. This ability to thermoregulate also helps them to retain water, giving them the ability to endure the long, dry summers.
Humans typically view squirrels as mischievous, talkative animals who are not to be trusted around food. In fact, there is a Choctaw legend that attributes solar eclipses to a large black squirrel eating the sun one bite at a time.
The rock squirrel has adapted to thrive near humans and, as our neighbors, we want to treat them with respect. If you encounter one of these squirrels, snap pictures, but do not get too close. Remember, they are still wild animals, so please do not feed them, especially by hand.
We can care for them by caring for their environment and protecting the resources that help them live.
Come out to the Cibolo trails at 140 City Park Road and watch our rock squirrels collect nuts and disappear into their burrows along the riparian habitat.
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