Abstract :
Although melanism is common in some species of North American squirrels, its occurrence in the California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi) was only anecdotal and reported in the early 20th century. Here we report on melanistic individuals in this species in northwestern Baja California in 2013 and 2020. Aunque el melanismo es comtin en algunas especies de ardillas de Norteamerica, su existencia en la ardillon de California (Otospermophilus beecheyi) era solamente anecdotica y reportada a principios del siglo XX. Aqui reportamos individuos mecanicos de esta especie en el noroeste de Baja California en 2013 y 2020.