Rock Squirrel

Common name: Rock Squirrel
Scientific name: Spermophilus variegatus
Often mistaken for: Gophers, Prairie Dogs, Tree Squirrels
Size: 17-21 in (43-53 cm); 21-28 oz (600-790 g)
Habitat: rocky areas, canyons, cliffs, slopes
Range: southern Nevada, Utah, and Colorado to Mexico
Photo courtesy: Firefly Forest

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

Common name: Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel
Scientific name: Spermophilus tridecemlineatus
Often mistaken for: Chipmunks, Gophers
Size: 6.75-12 in (17-30 cm); 3.8-9.5 oz (110-270 g)
Habitat: shortgrass prairie, fields, shrublands
Range: central Alberta to northern New Mexico, southern Texas, and Indiana
Photo courtesy: M. D. Carleton

Gunnison's Prairie Dog

Common name: Gunnison's Prairie Dog
Scientific name: Cynomys gunnisoni
Often mistaken for: Other Prairie Dog species, Ground Squirrels, Gophers
Size: 12-15 in (30-38 cm); 23-42 oz (650-1190 g)
Habitat: high altitude shortgrass prairies
Range: central Arizona to central Colorado
Photo courtesy: Lisa Lynch

Colorado Chipmunk

Common name: Colorado Chipmunk
Scientific name: Tamias quadrivittatus
Often mistaken for: Uinta, Least, and Hopi Chipmunk; Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Size: 8.25-9.5 in (21-24 cm); 2-3 oz (57-85 g)
Habitat: scrub, tundra, coniferous forests, and various other habitats
Range: Colorado, eastern Utah, northeastern Arizona, northern New Mexico
Photo courtesy: Michael Seraphin, Colorado Division of Wildlife

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Common name: Black-tailed Prairie Dog
Scientific name: Cynomys ludovicianus
Often mistaken for: Ground Squirrels, Gophers, Marmots, Meerkats
Size: 14-16 in (36-41 cm); 32-48 oz (910-1360 g)
Habitat: shortgrass prairies
Range: Montana to northern Mexico and central Texas
Photo courtesy: San Francisco Zoo

Yellow-bellied Marmot

Common name: Yellow-bellied Marmot
Scientific name: Marmota flaviventris
Often mistaken for: Hoary Marmot, Woodchuck, Prairie Dog
Size: 19-28 in (48-71 cm); 5-10 lbs (2.3-4.5 kg)
Habitat: valleys, rolling hills, rocky areas
Range: central British Columbia to southern California and northern New Mexico
Photo courtesy: Mike Dunn

Abert's Squirrel

Common name: Abert's Squirrel, Tassel-eared Squirrel
Scientific name: Sciurus aberti
Often mistaken for: Gray Squirrel, Fox Squirrel, Rock Squirrel
Size: 18-23 in (46-58 cm); 24-32 oz (680-910 g)
Habitat: Ponderosa pine forests
Range: northern Arizona, northwestern and central New Mexico, western and central Colorado
Photo courtesy: Clipart.com