Prairie Dogs

Prairie dogs are not actually dogs at all. They are small rodents related to squirrels. They got their name because they bark like dogs to warn of danger. Prairie dogs live in large underground communities called towns.

Prairie Dog Towns

Prairie dog towns can cover hundreds of acres underground. The largest town ever recorded had about 400 million prairie dogs! The tunnels have different rooms for sleeping, raising babies, and storing food. Mounds at the entrance help with air flow.

Communication

Prairie dogs have one of the most complex languages in the animal world. They have different alarm calls for different predators. Their calls can describe the size, shape, and color of a predator. Scientists believe they can even describe what a human is wearing!

Fun Facts

• The largest prairie dog town ever found stretched across 25,000 square miles in Texas.
• Prairie dogs kiss each other by touching their front teeth together.
• Prairie dogs can describe a predator's size and color in their alarm calls.

Did You Know?

Prairie dog towns provide homes for many other animals. Burrowing owls, black-footed ferrets, and rattlesnakes all use prairie dog burrows!