ExploreMammals

Gunnison's Prairie Dog

Cynomys gunnisoni

Gunnison's prairie dogs are small, social animals that live in big families called colonies. They dig tunnels in the ground and love to play and chatter with each other!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Gunnison's Prairie Dog is a small, sturdy rodent with yellowish-tan to cinnamon-brown fur, lighter on its belly. It has small ears and a short tail tipped in white, which helps distinguish it from other prairie dog species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilySciuridaeGenusCynomys
Gunnison's Prairie Dog
furry trait badgesocial trait badgeburrowing trait badgegrassland trait badge
Gunnison's Prairie Dog

Category

Mammals

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

2

Interesting facts

Baby prairie dogs, called pups, are born blind and helpless underground!

Their underground 'towns' can have hundreds of interconnected burrows!

They often use a special 'jump-yip' call to show they are feeling safe!

They stand tall on their hind legs like tiny sentinels to scout for danger!

Special abilities

Ability

Underground Engineer

Gunnison's Prairie Dog can dig extensive burrow systems because of its strong claws, providing shelter from predators and weather.

Ability

Social Communicator

Gunnison's Prairie Dog can "kiss" each other using cheek glands that helps them identify individuals and strengthen colony bonds.

Ability

Winter Sleeper

Gunnison's Prairie Dog can enter torpor during cold months because it helps them conserve energy when food is scarce.

Measurements & details

Length
30-38 cm
Weight
0.5-1.5 kg
Lifespan
3-5 years
Top Speed
55 km/h
Litter Size
1-8
Gestation
30-31 days

Diet & Feeding

This little rodent munches on fresh grasses, seeds, and flowers to stay healthy and strong!

Primary Foods

  • grasses
  • forbs
  • seeds
  • roots
  • cacti
  • insects

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch from a distance and don't disturb their homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Gunnison's Prairie Dog?

The easiest way to identify Gunnison's Prairie Dog is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Gunnison's Prairie Dog?

30-38 cm

How much does Gunnison's Prairie Dog weigh?

0.5-1.5 kg

How long does Gunnison's Prairie Dog live?

3-5 years

How fast can Gunnison's Prairie Dog move?

55 km/h

What does Gunnison's Prairie Dog eat?

This little rodent munches on fresh grasses, seeds, and flowers to stay healthy and strong!

Where is Gunnison's Prairie Dog usually found?

Grasslands

How does Gunnison's Prairie Dog hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Where to spot

More Mammals