Prairie Dogs



no pictures please



Last week there was an article on News channel 7's website about a prairie dog who decided to make his home on (or should I say in) the first hole green at Bobby Jones golf course. The manager at the golf course had the area roped off so not to disturb him and told the news that he was welcome to stay as long as he wanted. Although Prairie dogs are native to the United States, Canada & Mexico, they are usually found in the northwestern states. It is assumed that this little guy was someone’s pet who either escaped or was released.

These small ground squirrels grow to 16 inches long, weigh up to 3lbs and feed primarily on grasses and some insects. The Prairie dog got his name because of his ability to ward off predators with a high-pitched dog like call.



are you my mother?



Prairie dogs are rodents that love to burrow and are known for being escape artists. They dig complex under ground tunnel systems that go on for acres. Of course, one single prairie dog will not dig a mile long tunnel alone. They are very social creatures that live in large colonies with several families of Prairie dogs within the same tunnel system. Because they normally live where the climate changes from 100 degrees in the summer to 35 degrees in the winter, their burrows help to control temperatures as well as protect them from hailstorms and blizzards.

Nap time!

Most farm owners consider the prairie dog to be a nuisance, preferring to have them removed from their fields for fear their horses or cows might twist a leg in one of the burrow holes. What they do not realize is that the tunnels will help channel rainwater preventing runoff and erosion and according to Wikipidia, can serve to change the composition of the soil in a region by reversing soil compaction that can be a result of cattle grazing. The removal of Prairie dogs has also caused the undesirable spread of brush.

This is another cute little creature pet owners cannot seem to resist. However, it is important to note that they are difficult pets to care for. They require a lot of attention and a very special diet. Each year they go into a period called rut. This can last for months, where the personality can change becoming defensive and aggressive. Despite this, they are very social and need to be with other prairie dogs to be truly happy. Over the last few years there have been bans on keeping prairie dogs as pets, the bans have been lifted in most states but are still in place in some areas. If you would like to sponsor one of our prairie dogs please visit http://www.majicalminiatures.org/ 

by Lisa Burns