Ryan Photographic - Sciuridae - Squirrels, marmots, prairie dogs


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Family Sciuridae

The family Sciuridae is a large one with 278 species and 51 genera. It encompasses squirrels, chipmunks, ground squirrels, flying squirrels, prairie dogs and marmots. While most members of the family are relatively small, marmots can reach weights of up to 8 kgs when ready for their winter hibernation. Sciurids are found on all major land masses with the exception of Australia, Madagascar, New Zealand and Antartica.

While most species live solitary lives, except for those which den socially in winter, prairie dogs live in vast colonies and possess very sophisicated comunication systems with a variety of vocalisations. Squirrels, the scourge of bird feeders, are accomplished at learning and then circumventing attempts to keep them away. The introduction of North American grey squirrels into the United Kingdom has been devastating for the local red squirrels which have been displaced through much of their range - probably as the result of an introduced virus.

For more information about squirrels check out the Tree of Life entry.

 

Callosciurus prevostii Tri-colored squirrel

Callosciurus prevostii Tri-colored squirrel

Callosciurus prevostii Tri-colored squirrel, captive

Callospermophilus lateralis Gold-mantled ground squirrel

Callospermophilus lateralis, Gold-mantled ground squirrel Mt Evans, Colorado

Callospermophilus lateralis, Gold-mantled ground squirrel, Mt Evans, Colorado

Callospermophilus lateralis, Gold-mantled ground squirrel Denver

MAMM 0033 Callospermophilus lateralis, Gold-mantled ground squirrel Denver

Callospermophilus lateralis, Gold-mantled ground squirrel, Breckenridge

MAMM 5812 Callospermophilus lateralis, Gold-mantled ground squirrel, Breckenridge

Callospermophilus lateralis, Gold-mantled ground squirrel, Breckenridge

MAMM 5815 Callospermophilus lateralis, Gold-mantled ground squirrel, Breckenridge, the apparently odd framing is to accommodate the tail!

Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed Prairie dog

Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed Prairie dogs

Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed Prairie dogs, Denver, Colorado

Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed Prairie dogs in snow, Denver

MAM M 5930 Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed Prairie dogs in snow, Denver

Prairie dogs and soap bubbles

Prairie dog emerging from soap bubble filled burrow system during colony relocation efforts

Prairie dog having eyes washed

Prairie dog having eyes washed after being "bubbled" out of burrow system in relocation attempt

Captured prairie dogs awaiting release

Captured praire dogs ready for release in abandoned colony

Black-tailed prairie dog

Black-tailed prairie dog

Ictidomys tridecemlineatus 13-lined ground squirrel

Ictidomys tridecemlineatus 13-lined ground squirrel

Ictidomys tridecemlineatus 13-lined ground squirrel, Denver

Marmota flaviventris Yellow-bellied marmot

Marmota flaviventris, Yellow-bellied marmot, Mt Evans, Colorado

MAMM 9937 Marmota flaviventris, Yellow-bellied marmot, Mt Evans, Colorado

Marmota flaviventris Yellow-bellied marmot, Mt Evans, Colorado

MAMM 9305 Marmota flaviventris Yellow-bellied marmot, Mt Evans, Colorado

Sciurus niger Fox squirrel

Sciurus niger Fox squirrel

Sciurus niger, Fox squirrel, Florida

Squirrel - our back yard

MAMM 3425 Sciurus niger Fox squirrel dining on squash in our back yard

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, Pine Squirrel or Chickaree

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, Pine Squirrel or Chickaree, Nordic Center, Breckenridge

MAMM 6903 Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, Pine Squirrel or Chickaree, Nordic Center, Breckenridge

Urocitellus armatus Uinta ground squirrel

Urocitellus armatus Uinta ground squirrel

Urocitellus armatus Uinta ground squirrel

Xerus rutilus Unstriped ground squirrel

Xerus rutilus Unstriped ground squirrel, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

MAMM 2145 Xerus rutilus Unstriped ground squirrel, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Xerus rutilus Unstriped ground squirrel, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

MAMM 2152 Xerus rutilus Unstriped ground squirrel, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Xerus rutilus Unstriped ground squirrel, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

MAMM 2154 Xerus rutilus Unstriped ground squirrel, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Xerus rutilus Unstriped ground squirrel, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

MAMM 2170 Xerus rutilus Unstriped ground squirrel, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

 

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Ryan Photographic, 779 South Dale Court, Denver, CO  80219  USA  Phone 303-919-7145