Join us this week as we explore prairie dog ecology and conservation with Patrick McMillan, Clemson University naturalist. Patrick is the host of an educational TV program on wildlife and botany called “Expeditions.”
If you’ve driven across the Great Plains, chances are you’ve seen—or at least heard—prairie dogs. These gopher-like critters inhabit massive colonies called towns, consisting of a subterranean network of burrows that appear as small mounds of earth.
Prairie dog families, or coteries, stick together and live in close proximity to their relatives. The animals are in constant communication with each other to ward off surprise attacks by predators. Their incessant “yipping” is a way of calling attention to possible threats. When the coast is clear, they throw their arms up with a “jump-yip” to signal that the threat is gone.
When they’re not digging in the dirt or standing guard, prairie dogs lead a busy social life. Couples can often be seen kissing (touching noses helps to identify other individuals) or grooming each other. To learn more about prairie dog behavior, click here to see our fact sheet.
Historically, billions of prairie dogs occupied millions of acres of rolling prairie. But today, they survive in just two percent of their former range. Later this week, we’ll take a look at what factors have caused this decline, but first, check back tomorrow to find out why prairie dogs are a critical part of the prairie ecosystem.
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