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pelage gray dorsally, white ventrally |
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indistinct dorsal stripes |
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brown face with white stripes |
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brown feet |
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total length 208-240 mm |
Family
Sciuridae
(squirrels)
Cliff
chipmunk
Tamias dorsalis
(Eutamias dorsalis)
Description
pelage gray dorsally, white ventrally indistinct dorsal stripes brown face with white stripes
brown feet total length 208-240 mm
Similar Species
lack of prominent dorsal stripes make this Wyoming chipmunk unique
Habitat
rocky outcrops, steep hillsides; only recorded presence in Wyoming is in the vicinity of Flaming Gorge
Spotted
ground squirrel
Spermophilus spilosma
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Description
gray dorsally with columns of white spots running anteroposteriorly; white ventrally total length 185-253 mm
Similar Species
prominent dorsal spots make this Wyoming chipmunk unique
Habitat
sandy soil, sparse vegetation; habitate the high plains of southeastern Wyoming
Allen's thirteen-lined ground squirrel
Spermophilus
tridecemlineatus alleni
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Description
pelage brown dorsally with dark dorsal stripes; paler ventrally darkest subspecies of thirteen-lined ground squirrels in Wyoming total length 203-211 mm
Similar Species
this subspecies not obviously distinct from other Wyoming thirteen-lined ground squirrels; cranial measurements must be taken to determine positive identification
Habitat
only confirmed presence was in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains and in the Bighorn Basin; subspecies may not exist anymore
Black-tailed
prairie dog
Cynomys ludovicianus
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Description
stocky body, short legs with respect to body size, small ears
pale brown coat
black-tipped tail total length 312-410 mm
Similar Species
the white-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys leucurus) is similar in size and coloring, but tail color is a distinct differentiating characteristic; in addition, leucurus has a dark stripe over its eye
Habitat
plains dweller; lives within a social group, usually found in very large colonies
White-tailed
prairie dog
Cynomys leucurus
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Description
stocky body, short legs with respect to body size, small ears
yellowish coat, streaked with black
dark patch over eye, may extend over cheek white-tipped tail total length 340-370 mm
Similar Species
the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is similar in size and coloring, but tail color is a distinct differentiating characteristic; in addition, ludovicianus lacks a dark stripe over its eye
Habitat
plains dweller; lives within a social group, sometimes found in very large colonies, but usually lives in smaller communities than the black-tailed prairie dog
Northern flying squirrel (Black Hills population)
Glaucomys sabrinus (undescribed
taxon) back
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Description
flaps of furred skin stretch from fore limbs to hind limbs; allow for gliding capabilities gray fur; bushy, gray tail large eyes (nocturnal species) total length 290-315 mm
Similar Species
gliding adaptations make northern flying squirrels unique in Wyoming, but there is little literature which distinguishes the Black Hills population from the subspecies G. s. bangsi, described here; individuals fitting the description above that have been found in the Black Hills vicinity should be reported
Habitat
prefers coniferous trees in a mountainous region; nocturnal
Abert's
squirrel
Sciurus aberti
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Description
dorsal pelage black or gray ventral pelage gray with white flecks large ears with dark tufts of hair extending above them total length 463-584 mm
Similar Species
black/gray coloration and ear tufts make this species unique from other Wyoming squirrels
Habitat
nest in Ponderosa pine; only recorded presence in Wyoming is in the vicinity of the Laramie mountains, southeast of Laramie
Go to the Glossary for explanation of technical terms
Wyoming Natural Diversity Database
Sources
Clark, T. and Stromberg, M. 1987. Mammals in Wyoming. Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas. Lawrence, KS.
Long, C. 1965. The Mammals of Wyoming. University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History. Vol. 14, No. 18: 493-758.