Prairie Dog

Isn't this prairie dog cute?

Our prairie dog most resembles the Mexican prairie dog (Cynomys mexicanus) due to its light-yellow belly. It is a typical desert animal, hiding in the burrow during the day and coming out in the evening and night to feed on grasses and seeds. The prairie dog is closely related to squirrels and chipmunks. It lives in sophisticated social colonies and has a well developed language of yips and yelps. It runs surprisingly fast, up to speeds of 30 miles per hour, to avoid predators such as bobcats and hawks. The prairie dog is considered an agricultural pest and has been exterminated from much of its former habitat.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.