In the grasslands across the central and western United States, their intricate underground colonies—called prairie dog towns—create shelter for jackrabbits, toads, and rattlesnakes. They inhabit much of the Great Plains and other prairies in the western part of the US. Prairie dog habitats are traditionally dry, flat, sparsely vegetated grasslands. Prairie dogs live in large colonies in underground burrows. Like beavers, black-tailed prairie dogs are habitat modifiers who will dig burrows close together to form colonies, called towns. Gunnison's Prairie Dog (C. gunnisoni) has a much shorter tail than other prairie dogs. When group members meet each other they give them a prairie dog kiss, or nuzzle. Prairie Dog Habitat. They are closely related to squirrels, chipmunks, and marmots. The low-effect HCP would authorize incidental take of the federally threatened Utah prairie dog from residential, commercial, and industrial developements in Iron County, Utah. The HCP and our associated permit would authorize the take of no more than 600 acres of occupied Utah prairie dog habitat over a maximum 3-year period. Prairie dogs act together to ensure each others’ safety. Prairie dogs are highly social, living in large groups called “towns”.

They co-operate to share food, protect their burrow and often groom each other. Cynomys mexicanus originated about 230,000 years ago from a peripherally isolated population of the more widespread Cynomys ludovicianus. COUNTRY HOME Prairie dog families live with hundreds of others in networks of tunnels dug below North America's grasslands. It has yellowish to reddish brown fur on its back and sides and lighter colored fur under its neck and on its chest. Prairie dog family groups, which contain up to 26 individuals, share food, groom each other, and even greet one another with nose-to-nose nuzzles.

Mexican Prairie Dog (C. mexicanus) is an endangered species with a limited distribution. Prairie dogs live in North America and parts of Canada and Mexico. These small, chubby-looking mammals are also fascinating in their own right.

Prairie dogs prefer fine or medium textured soils, as these work best for building underground burrows. The Mexican prairie dog (Cynomys mexicanus) is a diurnal burrowing rodent native to Mexico.Treatment as an agricultural pest has led to its status as an endangered species. It is uniquely colored and centers around the Four Corners area at elevations from 5000-11000 feet. Prairie dogs tend to be celebrated for their larger ecological virtues.

They are often seasonal though so they can only get them at certain times of the year. The black-tailed prairie dog is a member of the squirrel family and is closely related to the ground squirrel. Prairie Dog Feeding. These burrows have many different chambers used for different things. The Prairie Dog is an herbivore and they will consume a variety of plants, grass, and shrubs that grow in their habitat. They will also consume berries and fruits when they are available. It has small ears on the sides of its head, a long body, small front paws with long claws, and a short, black-tipped tail.