| Prairie
Dog
(cynomys ludovicianus) |
 |
Habitat:
Historic Minnesota Native. Prairies and semi-desert area of the
northwestern US.
Vitals: 1 foot long with a 4 inch tail. Yellowish
above, creamy underneath, edges of tail are black.
Diet: Short grasses, broadleaf herbs, cactus, roots
and occasionally seeds and insects.
Breeding: Breed in spring, gestation of 30 days.
3-5 pups. Open eyes at 5 weeks and come out of burrow at 6 weeks.
Stay with family unit until 2 years of age.
Behavior/Adaptions: Very social animal, live in
groups called coteries. Complex communications. Can survive long
periods of time without water.
Additional Info: Rodent, related to squirrels.
Called dogs because of their barklike warning call. As numbers decline
the black footed ferret that relied on them as food has become North
Americas most endangered species.
At the PGZ: Last count 23, Varies.
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