Ground squirrels are members of the mammalian Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae.  This family includes ground squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, marmots, antelope squirrels, tree squirrels, and flying squirrels. Ground squirrels are  burrowing terrestrial squirrels of the genus Spermophilus (formerly known as Citellus). Most species of ground squirrels hibernate during the winter.  Twenty-one species of Spermophilus occur in North America.  Of these, five species of ground squirrels occur in Alberta, the Richardson’s ground squirrel, Columbian ground squirrel, golden-mantled ground squirrel, thirteen-lined ground squirrel, and Franklin’s ground squirrel.  A sixth species, the Arctic ground squirrel, may be present in the far North-West of the province.

The species with the most similar appearance to Richardson’s ground squirrels are the Wyoming ground squirrel (Spermophilus elegans) and the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus).  Of these, only the black-tailed prairie dog overlaps with the geographic range of Richardson’s ground squirrels.  Compared with Richardson’s ground squirrels, black-tailed prairie dogs are larger, have a shorter tail with a conspicuous black tip, give a yip-like “bark”, rarely hibernate, and live in family units called coteries which communally defend a common territory and burrow system.
 

Species found in Canada.
 

Colombian ground squirrel  (Spermophilus columbianus)
Grayish fur flecked with buffy spots, and reddish fur on face, forelegs and tail distinguish this species.  Found in alpine meadows of the Rocky Mountains of south-western Alberta, eastern British Columbia, and northwest United States.

Thirteen-lined ground squirrel  (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus)
Distinguished by thirteen whitish stripes, some continuous and others interrupted to form spots.  Also called the federation squirrel due to its stars and stripes pattern.  Widespread, but never common, throughout the Great Plains and prairie regions of central United States and Canada.

Golden-mantled ground squirrel  (Spermophilus lateralis)
Because of the conspicuous white stripe on the sides, this ground squirrel is often confused with a chipmunk.  However, the golden-mantled ground squirrel is larger and has a russet-colored mantle on the shoulders.  Also called the calico squirrel, golden chipmunk, copperhead, big chipmunk and Say's chipmunk, this species is found in the high mountains of western North America.

Franklin’s ground squirrel  (Spermophilus franklinii)
The long bushy tail of the Franklin’s ground squirrels is more reminiscent of tree squirrels than other ground squirrels.  This species can be identified by its conspicuous grey tail, grey head and shoulders, and by its choice of habitat.  Whereas most other ground squirrels live in open habitats such as alpine meadows and short-grass prairies, Franklin’s ground squirrels prefer tall-grass prairie, shrubland, and aspen parkland.

Arctic ground squirrel  (Spermophilus parryii)
This is the most northerly species of ground squirrel, with a range extending to the Arctic Ocean.  The head is cinnamon brown, the doral fur is flecked with white, and the belly is greyish.
 

Species similar in appearance to Richardson’s ground squirrels
 

Wyoming ground squirrel  (Spermophilus elegans)
The similarity in appearance between Wyoming ground squirrels and Richardson’s ground squirrels is so great that for many years the Wyoming ground squirrel was considered to be a subspecies of Richardson’s ground squirrels.  However, genetic evidence, such as the difference in numbers of chromosomes, justifies classification as a separate species.  The Wyoming ground squirrel occurs in three disjunct locations in the US, primarily in Montana/Idaho, Wyoming/Colorado, and Nevada.

Black-tailed prairie dog  (Cynomys ludovicianus)
The black-tailed prairie dog has an extemely large geographic range, extending from northern Mexico to southern Canada.  Like the Richardson’s ground squirrel, the black-tailed prairie dog has been persecuted by humans whose agricultural interests placed them in conflict with this native species.  Like Richardson’s ground squirrels, remnant populations are now smaller and more scattered than the historical distribution before the arrival of European agriculture to North America.

Black-tailed prairie dogs are almost twice the size of Richardson’s ground squirrels, with a chunkier body and heavier limbs.  Relative to body size, the black-tailed prairie dog has a short tail.  When they stand up, black-tailed prairie dogs appear to tilt slightly backwards whereas Richardson’s ground squirrels appear upright.  Whereas Richardson’s ground squirrels are obligate hibernators, with all individuals spending 4-8 months a year in hibernation, black-tailed prairie dogs do not hibernate at all in the southerly parts of their geographic range though they may hibernate intermittently at northerly locations.
 

Some other North American ground squirrels
 

Uinta ground squirrel  (Spermophilus armatus)
Distinguished from Townsend's and Richardson's ground squirrels by its blackish tail.  Found in the foothills and mountains of Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.

Belding's ground squirrel  (Spermophilus beldingi)
Distinguished from Richardson's ground squirrel by the reddish underside of its tail and from Townsend's ground squirrel by its larger size and cinnamon underparts.  Colonies found in mountain meadows surrounded by coniferous forests in western United States.

Townsend's ground squirrel  (Spermophilus townsendii)
Relatively small, buff-colored squirrel found in the sandy sagebrush valleys of western United States.

Round-tailed ground squirrel  (Spermophilus tereticadus)
A desert ground squirrel of southwest United States, it has two color phases, pinkish-cinnamon and dull gray.

California ground squirrel  (Spermophilus beecheyi)
Characterized by a mottled brown coat with a darker band extending from head over the back.  Slightly smaller than rock squirrels and found in the far west United States.

Rock squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus)
Intermixed black and white hairs give it a grizzled appearance, and black fur may cover the head and shoulders of some subspecies.  Found in rocky areas of southwest United States and central Mexico.
 

Prairie dogs are classified in the genus Cynomys.  The common name refers to a warning call that sounds similar to a dog's bark. The prairie dog lives in large colonies, chiefly in the Great Plains of North America.
 

Black-tailed prairie dog  (Cynomys ludovicainus)
See above

Utah prairie dog  (Cynomys parvidens)
Belonging to the white-tailed  group, this species represents the westernmost outpost of prairie dog populations in Utah.  Also the least common and most restricted in range of all the prairie dogs.

Gunnison's prairie dog  (Cynomys gunnisoni)
Cinnamon-buff coloration overlaid with black hairs.  From central Colorado, its range extends into Arizona and New Mexico.

White-tailed prairie dog  (Cynomys leucurus)
Distinguished from the black-tailed prairie dogs by their smaller size and white-tipped tail.  Lives at high elevations in the Rocky Mountain region of west central United States.
 

Marmots are large, stocky, coarse-furred, burrowing rodents of the genus Marmota, having short legs and ears and short bushy tails and found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.  Marmots are the largest members of the squirrel family, attaining weights of 2-6 kg depending on the species.
 

Yellow-bellied marmot  (Marmota flaviventris)
Named after its yellow-brown underside, this marmot occurs in the northwest United States , south-central British Columbia, and southern Alberta.  It makes its burrows in rock slides or beneath a jumble of boulders. Also called the rockchuck and yellow-footed marmot.

Hoary marmot  (Marmota caligata)
Largest of the American marmots, it appears mostly black and white with black 'boots' on its feet and black streaks marking the sides of the head and neck.  Found in western North America from  Alberta to Alaska.

Olympic mountain marmot  (Marmota olympus)
Resembling the Hoary marmot, its markings are less distinct and its coat bleaches yellow during the summer.  Found in the Olympic Mountains of Washington.

Woodchuck  (Marmota monax)
This is the most widespread marmot, ranging from eastern US and Canada across the aspen parkland to Alaska. Also called the groundhog and whistle pig.

Vancouver Island marmot  (Marmota vancouvernsis)
An extremely endangered species found only on Vancouver Island
 
 

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