The 6 to 8 cm (2.4 to 3.1 in) tail is buff with a grey underside, as distinct from the ochraceous or reddish color found in closely related species such as Belding's or Wyoming ground squirrels.
First described from the Uinta Mountains, the squirrels are found in Wyoming west of the Green River, in southwestern Montana, eastern Idaho, and northern and central Utah.
[5]Uinta ground squirrels are primarily herbivorous, and mostly eat grass, seeds, and the leaves of forbs, along with a small amount of earthworms and discarded human food.
The squirrels greet one another by sniffing, escalating to threat postures and bristling the hair on their tails, and eventually to wrestling, boxing, and chasing if the intruder does not retreat.
[5] The squirrels make six distinct vocalisations: chirps, squeals, squawks, trills, growls, and teeth clattering.
Adult males wake from hibernation around mid March, but may wait a few weeks before emerging, depending upon the weather.