Common Name:
Prairie Dog
Scientific Name:
Cynomys
Wild Status:
Least Concern
Habitat:
Grasslands
Country:
Countries in North America
Shelter:
Burrows
Life Span:
4 years
Size:
12-15 inches
Cool Facts:
- Covered with brown fur all over their bodies.
- Very small black paws, with sharp nails.
- Can weigh up to 4 pounds when fully grown.
- Diurnal (opposite of nocturnal)
- They live in groups called "towns"
- Due to their social nature and affectionate personality they have become fairly popular
- By varying the frequency and pitch of their barks, they can provide detailed descriptions of other predators to each other.
Details:
Prairie Dogs are actually not dogs at all! They are small rodents found across North America, and live in groups in general grassland & desert areas. The Prairie Dog is mainly an herbivore, eating grasses, roots, seeds, and more, but they have also been known to eat insects from time to time. They live in a complex network of tunnels, all with rooms for sleeping, storing food, and a community just like humans! They are often considered a "keystone" species because the colonies and burrows they create can benefit many other species in the environment. They are also preyed upon by many animals, such as badgers, coyotes, eagles, and more.
Taxonomic Breakdown:
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Sciuridae Genus: Marmotini Species: Cynomys