Squirrels, Chipmunks, Marmots ...: Family Sciuridae

The squirrels belong to a family of rodent known as the Sciuridae. They are often referred to simply as the sciurids or "shade-tails."  There are approximately 280 species of sciurids that are found on all the continents except for Australia and Antarctica.  Common members include the tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, woodchucks and the true flying squirrels.