Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Cynomys ludovicianus

The black-tailed prairie dog is actually a close relative of the ground squirrels. When it was first discovered it was called a dog because of the bark-like sounds which it makes. Prairie dogs are extremely social creatures which live in cohesive colonies. It is rare to come across a lone prairie dog, as individuals hardly ever stray from the colony. Prairie dogs live underground in massive burrows, where there seems to be no apparent antagonistic social hierarchy among the individuals. Instead, they maintain their standing by nuzzling, grooming and playing. Prairie dog colonies are found in open grasslands and arid short-grass plains; this habitat limits their Canadian distribution to a small section of southern Saskatchewan. They feed mainly on plant material such as leaves, stems, and roots.