What animals are closely related to prairie dogs?

Related Species

Prairie Dogs are the most social members of the Squirrel Family and are closely related to ground squirrels, chipmunks and marmots. There are 5 species of Prairie Dogs (genus Cynomys):

Black-tailed Prairie Dog (C. ludovicianus) occupies narrow bands of dry plains stretching from central Texans to Canada.

White-tailed Prairie Dog (C. leucurus) inhabits Western US: Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana.

Gunnison's Prairie Dog (C. gunnisoni) has a much shorter tail than other Prairie Dogs, and it is uniquely colored and centers around the Four Corners from 5000-11000 feet.

Mexican Prairie Dog (C. mexicanus) is an endangered species with a limited distribution only within parts of Mexico.

Utah Prairie Dog (C. parvidens) is the smallest of all Prairie Dogs and threatened.