Prairie Dog

Design

Prairie dogs live together in large groups called towns. These towns are made up of separate territories that are dominated by one male. This organization provides safety from predators since “watchdogs” are on the lookout for predators. Without this organization the prairie dog would be susceptible to danger. This instinct was not needed until after the Fall, when animals began hunting other animals.

Features

• The different species of prairie dog vary in color from red and yellow to brown and black. Most have pale patches of fur and colored tails.
• Prairie dogs eat grass and keep it cropped short so they can have an unobstructed view of any approaching predators.

Fun Facts

• The largest prairie dog town had a population of over 400 million.
• Prairie dogs exhibit behaviors that we would call unselfish. Since they live in territories with many individual members, they share their food supply and burrows, which can make for skimpy meals and tight quarters.

Created Kind Members

Ground squirrel, chipmunk