• Home
  • She Taught Me Everything
  • Blog
  • Publications
  • Me. Me. Me.
  • More!
  • Contact
  • Signed Copies for sale
  • Get a Book
  • Reviews & Awards
AMY SMITH LINTON

Bloggetty Blog, life Blog...

The Big Parks Trip: Exotic Rodents

8/12/2018

9 Comments

 
From the prairies to the mountains to the desert and back to coastal Florida, a thread of rodential threat wove through our big park trip.

​Welcome to the Park...be careful of the rodents!
Prairie Dogs Have Plague
Prairie dogs, which look like a slim, chirpy woodchucks and live in "towns" that stretch for acres, do in fact get the plague.

As in Yersinia pestis, the bacteria that caused the Black Death, which wiped out an estimated 2/3 of the human population of Europe in the first half of the 1300's.

Lucky for us, the disease burns through prairie dog towns very quickly. It's worth noting that the ranger did recommend that campers avoid handling dead prairie dogs, ESPECIALLY not if we happen to come across hundreds of dead ones at a time.

​No fear of that. 
Prairie dog
Prairie dog. They have a large vocabulary of squeaks and chirps.
White prairie dog
White prairie dogs.
I was not expecting the range of rodentia on the trip.​

​
The usual suspects –– red and grey squirrels ––  showed up, while Uinta chipmunks, cliff chipmunks, red-tailed chipmunks, and grey-collared chipmunks also frisk about gathering nuts and startling hikers. 

​Oh, the variations on chipmunks and squirrels  –– like the Kaibab squirrel, which has enormous tufty ears and a white tail and can only be found on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. A fearful, shy creature (every family has its oddball, I guess), the Kaibab squirrel prefers the seeds of the Ponderosa pine over human leftovers. Bless them.
Picture
Kaibab squirrel
Marmots are what happens when woodchucks take up mountain climbing. We spotted tons of Yellow-bellied Marmots. There's also a Hoary Marmot, (poor thing! His parents did not spare a thought for how that would sound) but he was even less photogenic.
Yellow-bellied marmot
Yellow-bellied Marmot sitting on a rock.
We spotted super cute kangaroo rats and thirteen-lined ground squirrels (once known as the leopard-spermophile, which just knocks me out).  

Out West, speaking of names, the common woodchuck or groundhog is known as a whistle pig. These creatures are universally unappreciated, whistle pigs. "They are good for sighting your rifle," was the comment we heard more than once. 

​Also antelope ground-squirrels, which skitter away with the same flashing white butt as the prong-horns. Only much smaller, of course.
Antelope ground-squirrel
Antelope ground-squirrel showing off his most antelope-like feature.
Somewhere in the middle of the chippy-to-groundhog spectrum perches the ubiquitous rock squirrel. As a group, rock squirrels are fearless. They have the sleek look of the prairie dog, with chipmunk-ish tails, but with the shameless, aggressive begging native to a city grey squirrel.
Rock squirrel
DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE
According to one park ranger, the rock squirrel is one of the more dangerous creatures at Zion National Park. They bite the hand that just won't resist feeding them. And that results maybe in stitches and a course of anti-rabies injections. Talk about unhappy campers.

​No fear of that on my part, but still.  
Uinita chipmunk
I almost wrote "It's hard to predict what they will do." But it isn't hard at all.

They will search for food wherever they have the slightest chance of finding it (In a backpack? Yup! In the fruit orchard? Yup! On the sidewalk under your very feet? Yup!).

​And they will persist, twitching and chirping, whistling or holding unnaturally still from their various lairs. 

Squirrelishness. 
Zombie Squirrel
This zombie squirrel turned up at the Wall Drug store in Wall, South Dakota. I am a fan of odd taxidermy, but there are limits....
​Fear them.
9 Comments
Thank you for the fun informative blog.
8/14/2018 04:08:50 pm

Each year we snag from the grocer a bag of red sox roasted peanuts to feed that cute chipmunk family at the end of the driveway, and each year between day two and day three we're shocked and horrified that the chips are now meeting us INside the open front door for their daily feeding. Reminds me of the 'lava in the living room' line of George Carlin's brilliant 'saving the planet'. An' don't feed the bears and coydogs, neither !

Reply
Amy
8/22/2018 09:53:50 pm

Chipmunks are great when they are outside, far far away from, say your box of crackers, fingers, an electrical box...

Reply
Nathan Josh link
4/5/2022 09:36:40 pm

Great article! Thank you for sharing this informative post, and looking forward to the latest one.

Reply
Kurt Jones link
4/5/2022 09:43:44 pm

Hello. I am so amazingly cheery that click these destinations. Right when I've to click this I'd see a significant substance a Positive article which can bolster me so,. The most thing that can feel me cheerily. Thankful to you for such an incredible sum for these Tips.

Reply
Zoe link
7/7/2022 11:50:28 am

What an exquisite article! Your post is very helpful right now. Thank you for sharing this informative one.

Reply
https://dahlcore.com/concert-security link
1/9/2024 11:42:58 am

I've been following amysmithlinton's blog for a while now, and I must say her health and wellness advice has been a game-changer for me. Her dedication to promoting a balanced and healthy lifestyle is truly commendable.

Our concert security services in New York City provide top-notch protection for your event, ensuring the safety of both performers and attendees through rigorous screening protocols and a highly trained security team. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges of hosting concerts in the heart of the Big Apple, our security services in New York City are tailored to meet the city's dynamic environment, making your event a safe and memorable experience.

Reply
https://www.rockymountainoils.com/products/citronella-essential-oil link
1/10/2024 10:42:03 am

Your blog post has piqued my curiosity! I never thought of rodents as a potential threat during park trips, but it's crucial to be aware of the wildlife around us. Your journey through prairies, mountains, deserts, and coastal Florida sounds like quite the adventure.

Rocky Mountain Oils' Citronella Essential Oil is a versatile and aromatic product that offers numerous benefits. Known for its natural insect-repelling properties, this oil is a popular choice for creating a bug-free outdoor environment. Its fresh and lemony scent also makes it a delightful addition to DIY aromatherapy blends, adding a refreshing and uplifting note to your essential oil collection.

Reply
dc mushrooms link
1/27/2024 07:53:29 am


"Magic Mushrooms" typically refers to mushrooms containing psychoactive compounds, particularly psilocybin and psilocin, which can produce hallucinogenic effects when ingested. These substances are considered illegal in many parts of the world, including the United States, outside of specific research or clinical settings.

It's important to note that the legality of magic mushrooms varies by jurisdiction, and laws can change over time. Some areas, like the District of Columbia (DC), have decriminalized the possession and use of small amounts of psilocybin-containing mushrooms for personal use or limited medical purposes. However, the sale and distribution of these substances remain illegal in most places.

If you have specific questions about the legal status of magic mushrooms in DC or if you're seeking information related to their use for medical or therapeutic purposes, I recommend consulting with legal and medical professionals who are knowledgeable about the current regulations and potential risks associated with these substances. It's important to prioritize safety, legality, and responsible use when considering any substances with psychoactive properties.

Reply
internet link
2/1/2024 08:29:15 am

Wow, it sounds like your big parks trip in 2018 was quite an adventure! I never would have imagined that exotic rodents could be a common thread across such diverse landscapes.

BalakrishnanGroup's "home-search-listings" feature is a user-friendly and efficient tool for finding your dream home. It offers a wide range of property listings, ensuring that you have a diverse selection to choose from. With this feature, you can easily browse through available properties and make informed decisions in your home search.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About the Blog

    A lot of ground gets covered on this blog -- from sailboat racing to book suggestions to plain old piffle. 

    To narrow the focus, select one of the  Categories below.

    Follow

    Trying to keep track? Follow me on Facebook or Twitter or if you use an aggregator, click the RSS option below.

    RSS Feed

    Old school? Sign up for the newsletter and I'll shoot you a short e-mail when there's something new.

      Newsletter

    Subscribe to Newsletter

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    December 2023
    September 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013

    Categories

    All
    Beauty Products
    Big Parks Trip
    Birds
    Boatbuilding
    Books
    Brains
    Contest & Prize
    Dogs
    Everglades Challenge
    Family Stories
    Farming
    Fashion
    Feminism
    Fiction
    Fish
    Flowers
    Flying Scot Sailboat
    Food
    Genealogy
    Handwork
    Health
    History
    Horses
    I
    International Lightning Class
    Mechanical Toys
    Migraine
    Movie References
    Music
    Piffle
    Pigs And Pork
    Poems
    Sailboat Racing
    Sculpture
    Social Media
    Song
    Subconscious Messages And Dream
    Travel
    Wildlife
    Writing

Picture
© COPYRIGHT 2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • She Taught Me Everything
  • Blog
  • Publications
  • Me. Me. Me.
  • More!
  • Contact
  • Signed Copies for sale
  • Get a Book
  • Reviews & Awards