| Prairie
Dogs are closely related to ground squirrels, chipmunks and
marmots and are found throughout most of the western United
States from Canada to Mexico.
Since they do not like tall grass, they establish colonies or "towns" in areas with very little vegetation where they feel
secure since they are able to see predators coming from a long
distance. A prairie dog colony or "town" consists of a
large number of closely spaced burrows that are usually quite
visible because of the large mound of dirt around the entrances.
The raised dirt around the funnel-shaped entrances provides both
a vantage point and protection from flooding. Each burrow has an
elaborate network of interconnecting tunnels and multiple
entrance holes. The
tunnels, slanting steeply downwards 15 or 16 feet before
leveling off for another 20 to 50 feet, are arranged so that wind blows through and provides
ventilation for the animals. There are side chambers for storage, for nesting and for escape should
the tunnel be invaded by predators or flooding. Prairie dogs use these
tunnels during the winter to escape bad weather and the cold.
They do not hibernate like the true ground squirrels, but remain
dormant in the nest during the peak of winter. |
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