Round-tailed Ground Squirrels occur primarily in sandy, relatively flat desert, from Death Valley, which is about 70 m below sea level, to elevations of 1,200 m. They dig their burrows in loose soil, often under a shrub. Mesquite and creosotebush are typically the dominant plants in their habitat. They can stay active on very hot days, and in some areas they are active year-round. In other places, they spend most of their time underground from September until January, but they do not hibernate.