File:Uinta ground squirrel sleeping in nest - DPLA - 2c8a9f146137234156c5e2ab5e58dc44.jpg

35 mm slide; color. Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Mammalia; Order: Rodentia; Family: Sciuridae; Genus: Spermophilus; Genus species: Spermophilus armatus. Animal characteristics: Head-Body Length: 28-29 cm; Weight: 300-400 g; Identification: The Uinta ground squirrel is brown to buff above and has buff undersides. The top of the head, sides of the face, and neck are gray; Habitat: Sagegrass mountain meadows, valley pastures, cultivated areas and lawns; Diet: Omnivore: seeds, green vegetation, invertebrates, some vertebrates; Reproduction: The breeding season begins at the end of hibernation in March or April. The males attract females with scents and calls. Gestation is 28 days and females give birth to one litter per year. Young females bear 4-5 young where older females have 7-8 young; Social Structure: The Uinta ground squirrel lives in matrilineal colonies. Males disperse as juveniles and integrate into new colonies. Individuals are very territorial, where females are more aggressive during pregnancy and males during breeding; Behavior: Because the Uinta ground squirrel hibernates and estivates, it is only active for 3.5 months out of the year; Status: No special status; Interesting Facts: Uinta ground squirrels are very destructive to crops because they eat vegetables and harvest seeds, usually from farmers' plantings.