United States Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Abert's Squirrel

(Sciurus aberti)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2020

1. Abert's Squirrel Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

J.W. Abert, a military explorer-naturalist of the American Southwest, is credited with discovering the squirrel named in his honor. The genus name Sciurus refers to tree-dwelling squirrels. It means "shade-tail" because of the way these animals hold their bushy tails over their backs.

The Abert's alias name, tassel-eared squirrel, is more descriptive. It is the only North American squirrel with distinctly long, tassel-like ears. Favorite food of the squirrel is the large single-winged seeds found under scales of Pinerosa Pine cones.

Erected by United States Air Force Academy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment.

Location. 39° 0.414′ N, 104° 53.679′ W. Marker is in United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, in El Paso County. Marker is along the walking path from the Visitor Center to the Chapel, within site of the Visitor Center parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: USAF Academy CO 80840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies

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. Scrub (Gambel's) Oak (within shouting distance of this marker); Landscape Fire Ecology (within shouting distance of this marker); Forest Management (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Before the Academy (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); An Ancient Geologic Past (about 400 feet away); Fuel Hazard Mitigation (about 600 feet away); Memorial Pavilion Roll Call Record Locator Room (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in United States Air Force Academy.

More about this marker. Visitors must have an unexpired official photo ID to present to security to access the USAF Academy grounds.

Also see . . . Abert's Squirrel - Sciurus aberti. (Submitted on October 20, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2020

2. Abert's Squirrel Marker

Visitor Center visible in distance

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 20, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.