Mammal
Uinta Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus armatusThe Uinta Ground Squirrel is a compact brown-gray rodent with a short tail and a sharp chirping alarm call. It feeds intensively during a brief active season in mountain meadows before retreating underground for prolonged dormancy.
mountain rodentburrow dwellerseasonal dormancy
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyInsects
Predators
- coyotes
- badgers
- golden eagles
ThreatsMeadow conversion, road mortality, poisoning, drought, altered snowpack, and conflict around developed sites
HabitatsMountain meadows, sagebrush, open conifer woodland, grassy clearings, and campgrounds
Life spanOften three to seven years in the wild
Classification
- FamilySciuridae
- SpeciesUrocitellus armatus
Native
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Do not feed ground squirrels or block burrow entrances near trails and campsites.
Responsible observation
- Listen: Sharp chirps often reveal a colony before animals become visible.
- Observe: Watch meadow edges from a distance without approaching burrow mouths.
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