Key to the prairie dogs
This key to the prairie dogs (Cynomys) is borrowed from Clark et al. (1971). Images and maps were added for clarity.
Clark TW, Hoffmann RS, Nadler CF. 1971. Cynomys leucurus. Mammalian Species (7):1-4.
1
- Tail tipped with black... subgenus Cynomys . . . . . 2
- Tail tipped and bordered with white... subgenus Leucocrossuromys . . . . . 3
2
Return to couplet #1
- Black on tail covering most of distal half; posterior border of inflected angle of mandible nearly at right angle to axis of jaw.... Cynomys mexicanus (species endemic to Mexico)
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Mexican Prairie Dog (Cynomys mexicanus) observed by Diego Pino in Galeana, Nuevo León, México. This species is endemic to Mexico. -
Mexican Prairie Dog (Cynomys mexicanus)
- Black on tail confined to distal third; posterior border of inflected angle of mandible at angle of about 45 degrees to axis of jaw.... Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)
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Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) observed by Liam Pentangelo in Boulder County, Colorado. -
Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)
3
Return to couplet #2
- Terminal half of tail with gray center, bordered and tipped with white.... Gunnison's Prairie Dog (Cynomys gunnisoni)
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Gunnison's Prairie Dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) observed by Cathy Pasterczyk in Taos, New Mexico. -
Gunnison's Prairie Dog (Cynomys gunnisoni)
- Terminal half of tail white, without dark center . . . . . 4
4
Return to couplet #3
- Color in summer reddish or rich cinnamon (not buffy or grayish); skull with interorbital breadth more than 13.5 mm.... Utah Prairie Dog (Cynomys parvidens)
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Utah Prairie Dog (Cynomys parvidens) observed by Creed Clayton in southern Utah. -
Utah Prairie Dog (Cynomys parvidens)
- Color in summer buffy or grayish; skull with interorbital breadth less than 13.5 mm.... White-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys leucurus)
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White-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys leucurus) observed by Liam Pentangelo in Jackson County, Colorado. -
White-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys leucurus)