Ryan Photographic - Sciuridae - Squirrels, marmots, prairie dogs
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.
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Callosciurus prevostii Tri-colored squirrel, captive |
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Callospermophilus lateralis, Gold-mantled ground squirrel, Mt Evans, Colorado |
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MAMM 0033 Callospermophilus lateralis, Gold-mantled ground squirrel Denver |
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MAMM 5812 Callospermophilus lateralis, Gold-mantled ground squirrel, Breckenridge |
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MAMM 5815 Callospermophilus lateralis, Gold-mantled ground squirrel, Breckenridge, the apparently odd framing is to accommodate the tail! |
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Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed Prairie dogs, Denver, Colorado |
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MAM M 5930 Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed Prairie dogs in snow, Denver |
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Prairie dog emerging from soap bubble filled burrow system during colony relocation efforts |
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Prairie dog having eyes washed after being "bubbled" out of burrow system in relocation attempt |
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Captured praire dogs ready for release in abandoned colony |
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Black-tailed prairie dog |
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Ictidomys tridecemlineatus 13-lined ground squirrel, Denver |
Marmota flaviventris Yellow-bellied marmot |
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MAMM 9937 Marmota flaviventris, Yellow-bellied marmot, Mt Evans, Colorado |
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MAMM 9305 Marmota flaviventris Yellow-bellied marmot, Mt Evans, Colorado |
Sciurus niger Fox squirrel |
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Sciurus niger, Fox squirrel, Florida |
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MAMM 3425 Sciurus niger Fox squirrel dining on squash in our back yard |
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, Pine Squirrel or Chickaree |
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MAMM 6903 Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, Pine Squirrel or Chickaree, Nordic Center, Breckenridge |
Urocitellus armatus Uinta ground squirrel |
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Urocitellus armatus Uinta ground squirrel |
Xerus rutilus Unstriped ground squirrel |
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MAMM 2145 Xerus rutilus Unstriped ground squirrel, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania |
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MAMM 2152 Xerus rutilus Unstriped ground squirrel, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania |
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MAMM 2154 Xerus rutilus Unstriped ground squirrel, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania |
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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
