I met a squirrel the other day, and while chatting (they mostly just listen), it dawned on me that we have city squirrels and country squirrels around here.

You may be surprised to learn there are even squirrel neighborhoods in San Diego County, where you will generally find only one or two kinds of the furry little rodents.

My encounter was on a scorching summer day in Borrego Springs.

Peak summer heat can be punishing, but staking out at a desert waterhole increases the odds I might encounter bighorn sheep to photograph while coming to drink.

I started to question my wisdom as the midday heat bumped to 111 degrees and I was beginning to feel like a frying egg. Time to go.

Just as I began collecting my photo gear, I noticed a pair of tiny eyes watching me from a nearby rock.

Nervously, my curious friend, a white-tailed antelope squirrel, flicked his tail, but stood tall as he curiously examined me.

At the time, I realized I had not seen squirrels like this in other parts of the county.

After a few photos and sharing pleasantries, it was time to head home and learn more about my new desert friend.

Turns out, the antelope squirrel is one of the most common mammals seen in the Anza-Borrego Desert area, and easily identified by a white stripe along the side and short, rounded ears.

This is a desert dweller, not commonly found west of the mountains that form the rim of the desert basin.

They have adapted well to this harsh environment and are often the only animal seen moving about in peak midday heat as they hunt a variety of foods that range from insects and small lizards to seeds, fruit and plants.

One of their habits is to tuck their tail over their back to provide a tiny bit of cooling shade.

Another country squirrel found in a different desert neighborhood is the round-tailed ground squirrel with a much smaller population than its antelope squirrel cousin. So far, I have not been able to capture one of these in photos.

This squirrel prefers more arid, sandy environments, and while omnivorous, prefers succulents, seeds and green plants.

County residents are most familiar with the California ground squirrel, a somewhat drab, but ubiquitous little fellow, often found around rocks and brushy habitats from the coast to our mountains, but relatively rare in more arid desert areas.

The California ground squirrel is often found around rocks and brushy habitats from the coast to our mountains, but relatively rare in more arid desert areas. (Ernie Cowan / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

These are the squirrels that will pester picnickers at local lakes and parks and can often be seen scrambling along the rocks that line the banks of San Diego Bay or trying to raid birdseed feeders in urban backyards.

If there was a squirrel beauty contest, the western gray squirrel would likely win.

This handsome squirrel is a mountain dweller, most often found at higher elevations in the county.

This is the largest squirrel in California, measuring around 22 inches, including the tail. They are easy to identify by their silvery, gray coat and long, bushy tail that often curls up above their back.

The western gray squirrel is a mountain dweller, most often found at higher elevations in the county. (Ernie Cowan / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Known as arboreal squirrels because they prefer to hang out in the dense oak and conifer woodlands of our county, they are often seen coming down to raid goodies on your picnic table at Palomar or Cuyamaca Rancho state parks.

Gray squirrels are fond of pine nuts and acorns, which they store away as sources of food to be eaten during lean times.

The eastern fox squirrel was introduced into Balboa Park in the 1920s. (Ernie Cowan / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Another arboreal squirrel, the eastern fox squirrel was introduced into Balboa Park in the 1920s, and a small population can still be found around the park and surrounding suburban areas, including recent sightings in Mission Trails Regional Park. This is our city squirrel.

It also has a bushy tail like the gray squirrel but differs with an orange-brown coat and orange underparts.

Also, in the 1920s the eastern gray squirrel was introduced to Balboa Park but did not thrive and had vanished by 1924.

The Merriam’s chipmunk is found at higher elevations of local mountains from Palomar, Volcan and Laguna. (Ernie Cowan / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

San Diego also has the Merriam’s chipmunk, a cute little ball of energy found at higher elevations of local mountains from Palomar, Volcan and Laguna.

These are vocal animals, and you may often hear them before seeing them as they warn others of danger through a variety of high pitched, chuck-chuck or chirps.

Squirrels are an enjoyable collection of animals to encounter in San Diego’s wildlands.

While they may be pests in some areas, generally they are considered ecologically beneficial since they contribute to tree growth by burying nuts and seeds.

They also feed on mushrooms and spread the spores in their scat.

Native American lore often recognized the squirrel as resourceful, thrifty, prepared and sometimes mischievous.

Anyone who has spent time camping in our local mountains will likely agree.

Cowan is a freelance columnist. Email ernie@packtrain.com or visit erniesoutdoors.blogspot.com.