Prairie Dog

Size

On average, these stout-bodied rodents will grow to be between 30–40 centimetres (12–16 in) long, including the short tail and weigh between 0.5–1.5 kilograms (1–3 lb).

Diet

They will eat all sorts of vegetables and fruits and feeds primarily on grasses and, in the fall, broadleaf forbs.  It does eat some insects.

Habitation

Highly social, prairie dogs live in large colonies or “towns” – collections of prairie dog families that can span hundreds of acres. Families usually consist of 1 male and 2 to 4 females living in a strict social hierarchy.  The tunnels usually have several chambers. Tunnels can descend vertically as much as 5 metres (16 ft), and can extend laterally as much as 30 metres (98 ft). Prairie dogs line their burrows with grass to insulate them, and the earth excavated from the burrow is piled up in mounds around the burrow’s entrance. The prairie dogs use these carefully maintained mounds as observation posts.