Description: Utah Prairie Dogs (Cynomys parvidens) are large, yellowish or cinnamon colored ground squirrels with a short, white tail. The head and body are about 12-14 inches long, and the tail is another 2-1/2 inches. The ears are small, and the belly is light or darker cinnamon. The side of the face and chin are white, and there are brown spots above and below the eyes.

Taxonomy: Class Mammalia (mammals); Order Rodentia (rodents); Family Sciuridae (squirrels)

Technical Description:

Breeding: Utah Prairie Dogs are social. Three or four young are produced in spring and become sexually mature after one year.

Diet: grasses, forbs.

Range: Formerly widespread, now only found in Southwest Utah.

Where to Find: Don't look for this species around Las Vegas, rather, look for them on trips to Bryce Canyon National Park, along the road between Zion and Bryce.

Comments: Utah Prairie Dogs are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and therefore are protected from harassment of any sort.