202 



MAMMALS OF AMERICA 



The Hoar\- ]\Iarmot and its western cousins 

 are in general considerably larger than the 

 Eastern Woodchuck, but can be readily recog- 

 nized even by the casual passerby as near rela- 

 tives of that familiar animal. In colors the 

 western members range from the grizzled gray 

 of the Hoary Marmot, which ranges the Canad- 

 ian Barren Grounds, to the Yellow-bellied Mar- 

 mot of the Southwest, a beautifully marked ani- 

 mal that can be readily distinguished by the 

 golden hue of its underfur. Here once again 

 we see the protective coloring afforded by nature. 

 In the northern wastes the animal is given the 

 indiscriminate gray which blends so perfectly 

 with the landscape ; while in the southern deserts 

 it reflects the hues of sand and rocks. 



The general habits resemble those of the 

 Eastern type, with such changes as may be made 

 necessary by locality. For example, in the far 

 North the period of hibernation is very long, 

 because of the length of the winter; while in the 

 southern deserts it is doubtful if the Marmot 

 hibernates at all. A noteworthy feature about 

 the whole tribe is their ready adaptability to 

 almost every climate. They seem to thrive 

 almost equally well in southern climes and in 

 frozen wastes as high as latitude 63°. They 

 are found on the deserts and also on the verv 



tops of mountain peaks. Says ]\Ierritt Cary : 

 " The Marmot is one of the most characteristic 

 mammals of the mountains, and occurs from 

 6000 feet in the foothills to the rocky summits 

 of the highest peaks, at over 14,000 feet. It has, 

 therefore a vertical range of about 8000 feet. 

 Marmots are much more abundant above than 

 below 8000 feet, and are especially numerous 

 in the slide rock near timberline. They are re- 

 ported present on the summit of Gray's Peak, at 

 an elevation of 14,341 feet, and have been ob- 

 served also on the summit of Long's Peak 100 

 feet lower. The clear, shrill whistle of the Mar- 

 mot is one of the few sounds that break the 

 silence of the high altitudes, and the large red- 

 dish-brown animals may often be seen sunning 

 themselves on the warm, flat surface of rocks 

 during the middle of the day. In the Halm's 

 Peak region Marmots are abundant, and are usu- 

 ally seen around abandoned prospect holes and 

 mining shafts." 



The Hoary Marmot is also called the Whistler, 

 from its call — a shrill whistle used not only as a 

 danger signal but as a means of communication 

 at all times. It seems, in fact, quite proud of its 

 vocal efforts, which are often practiced continu- 

 ously, and its pleasant call has cheered many a 

 lonelv traveler. 



PRAIRIE DOG 



Cynomys ludovicianus (Ord) 



General Description. — A stout-bodied, terrestrial 

 Squirrel of the Plains regions. Head blunt, rounded; 

 ears low and broad ; body thick set ; tail very short, 

 about one-third length of head and body, slightly 

 bushy ; legs short ; claws long ; general color, reddish- 

 brown grizzled with grayish above ; beneath, yellowish- 

 white ; hairs fairly long and coarse. Lives in colonies. 



Dental Formula. — Incisors, '~'- 



Canines, 



I— I ' o — o 



Pre- 



IMolars, ——==22. 

 ' 3—3 



Pelage. — Adults: Sexes identical. Suniiiicr. Above, 

 reddish-brown, brightest and clearest on shoulders and 

 top of head, on back and rump, grizzled with black 

 and white ; flanks paler ; sides of head and body and 

 upper surfaces of feet, yellowish; underparts yellowish- 

 white ; tail above and below like shoulders, with apical 

 third black. Winter, .^bove, pale vinaceous buff, griz- 

 zled and mixed with black; below pale buff. Young: 

 A paler brown. 



Measurements. — Total length, 14 inches: tail verte- 

 brae, 3 inches ; hind foot, 2.3 inches. 



Range. — Western Texas to 49th parallel, and western 

 Kansas as far east as the eastern base of Rocky 

 Mountains. 



Food. — Largely grass, roots and blades, and other 

 vegetation. 



Rel.\ted Species 



Common Prairie Dog. — Cynomys ludovicianus 

 (Ord). Typical animal as described above. Western 

 Texas to 49° north latitude, and from western Kansas 

 to eastern base of Rocky Mountains. 



Gunnison Prairie Dog. — Cynomys (/nnnisoni 

 (Baird). Darker in color; tail tipped with white. 

 New Mexico and Colorado to Arizona. 



Arizona Prairie Dog. — Cynomys ari::oncnsis 

 Mearns. Largest of the Prairie Dogs; pale sandy 

 bufif above; tail with narrow sub-terminal bar of black. 

 Texas and Arizona. 



White-tailed Prairie Dog. — Cynomys Iciicunis 

 Mcrriam. Size large, tail like back at base, but outer 

 two-thirds white with a few black hairs. Wyoming 

 and Colorado. 



