Animals

PRAIRIE DOGS

Prairie dogs are the most social members of the squirrel family and are closely related to ground squirrels, chipmunks and marmots. There are five species but all these pictures are of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs.

These rotund little critters live in huge colonies called 'towns'. In 1900, a prairie dog town was reported in Texas containing some 400 million members and extending 100 by 250 miles. Unfortunately numbers have dwindled rapidly due to extensive farming and grazing (prairie dogs only inhabit a mere 2% of their former area). This also effects the animals that feed on them such as coyotes, hawks and weasels.

Prairie dogs got their name from the early settlers because of their high-pitched bark. The little animals are extremely vocal and seem to enjoy sitting at the entrance of their burrows, wagging their tiny tails, and barking loudly at every move you make. Their other favorite hobbies seem to include rummaging about looking for something to eat, basking in the sun, and getting up late in the winter months.

Always watchful, Prairie Dogs issue different sounds identifying various predators, which include hawks, owls, eagles, ravens, coyotes, badgers, ferrets and snakes.

Prairie dogs eat grasses, seeds, leaves, flowers, fruit, eggs and some insects.

Prairie Dog pups are born in March and April and begin to appear above grounds for the first time at about 6 weeks old.

White-tailed Prairie Dogs hibernate during the winter, but these Black-tailed Prairie Dogs often wake up on warmer days to collect food.




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