# Prairie Dog (*Cynomys ludovicianus*) Prairie dogs are small, social mammals that live in underground burrows called towns. They communicate with cute chirps and barks and play an important role in the prairie ecosystem. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 50 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Prairie Dogs, White-tailed Prairie Dog ![Prairie Dog](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426862/objects/6332.jpg) ## Appearance The Prairie Dog has a stocky body covered in yellowish-tan fur, with a distinctive short tail tipped with black. Its small ears and dark eyes blend into its round face, making it look different from ground squirrels by its larger, more compact build and characteristic black tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Cynomys ## Interesting facts - Many other animals depend on prairie dog towns for food and shelter! - Prairie dogs can plug the burrows of rival groups! - Prairie dogs will trim nearby plants to get a better view of predators. - Their underground 'towns' have special rooms for sleeping and even bathrooms. ## Special abilities - **Burrow Architect:** Prairie Dogs can dig complex underground tunnels because of strong claws that create safe homes and escape routes. - **Voice of Warning:** Prairie Dogs have unique alarm calls that tell their colony about different predators, helping everyone hide fast. - **Tail Signal:** Prairie Dogs can use their black-tipped tail to flick and signal danger, communicating alerts across open plains. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-45 cm - **Weight:** 0.7-1.4 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-6 - **Gestation:** 30-35 days ## Diet & Feeding These herbivores munch on fresh plants like grasses and leafy greens to stay healthy and hydrated. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, forbs, roots, seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — a common predator on the plains - **Eaten by:** [Golden Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-eagle) (*Aquila chrysaetos*) — hunts them from the sky - **Eaten by:** [Black-footed Ferret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-footed-ferret) (*Mustela nigripes*) — their primary prey and food source - **Shelter:** [Burrowing Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/burrowing-owl) (*Athene cunicularia*) — uses abandoned prairie dog burrows for nests - **Shelter:** [Prairie Rattlesnake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/prairie-rattlesnake) (*Crotalus viridis*) — often hides in their burrows for shade ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Enjoy watching prairie dogs from a safe distance and never try to touch or feed them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Prairie Dog? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Prairie Dog? 30-45 cm ### How much does Prairie Dog weigh? 0.7-1.4 kg ### How long does Prairie Dog live? 3-8 years ### How fast can Prairie Dog move? 55 km/h ### What does Prairie Dog eat? These herbivores munch on fresh plants like grasses and leafy greens to stay healthy and hydrated. ### Where is Prairie Dog usually found? Grasslands ### How does Prairie Dog hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Detroit Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/detroit-zoo) — Michigan, US · Zoo - [The Maryland Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-maryland-zoo) — Maryland, US · Zoo - [ZooAmerica](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zooamerica) — Pennsylvania, US · Zoo - [David Traylor Zoo of Emporia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/david-traylor-zoo-of-emporia) — Kansas, US · Zoo - [Prospect Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/prospect-park-zoo) — New York, US · Zoo - [Red River Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/red-river-zoo) — North Dakota, US · Zoo [View all places to see Prairie Dog](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/prairie-dog) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Prairie Dog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/prairie-dog)