Squirrels are frequently confused with prairie dogs. This is a spotted ground squirrel, a native of this region. This is a older mom and you can see she has spots, a longer tail, and recently given birth to a litter. The younger ones are not so easy to differentiate due to the close cropped ears and lack of spots.

Rock Squirrels (Spermophilus variegatus) are frequently mistaken for prairie dogs as well. Generally a good look at the bushy tail or ears will suffice to identify the squirrel. The burrows, however, are a bit more difficult to differentiate as given the opportunity the squirrels frequently use prairie dog burrows. The burrows for rock squirrels tend to be shallow (3-5 feet) and consist of the burrow and living chamber. Following are some pictures of the burrows and a rock squirrel. Rock squirrels are active during the winter, although they can “sleep” for extended periods during cold or inclement weather.