Gunnison's Prairie Dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) is in the Squirrels family (Sciuridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,803 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): G3?.
When to photograph Gunnison's Prairie Dog: observations by month (U.S.)
About Gunnison's Prairie Dog
Gunnison's prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) is one of five species of the prairie dog. This species belongs to the squirrel family of rodents, and are predominantly related to the North American and Eurasian ground squirrels. Gunnison’s prairie dogs are primarily distributed in the Four Corners region of the United States.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Gunnison's Prairie Dog by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 1,828 | June | Apr–Sep |
| Colorado | 516 | June | Apr–Sep |
| Arizona | 384 | June | Mar–Sep |
| Utah | 75 | May | Apr–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Squirrels)
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk
California Ground Squirrel
Groundhog
American Red Squirrel
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Western Gray Squirrel
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Gunnison's Prairie Dog?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from April to September.
Where is Gunnison's Prairie Dog most often seen?
The most observations come from New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona.