Prairie dogs are found in the Prairies of North America. These stout-figured animals with a misleading name are actually rodents and not dogs. They are related closely to squirrels. They grow up to a height of 30-40 cm, including their short tails.

These herbivores feed primarily on grass. Prairie dogs are highly sociable, living in underground colonies of burrows, which they mark by standing on their hind legs and making territorial calls. They climb over mounds from where they watch out for danger from predators. When a threat is detected, these alert rodents let out sharp dog-like alarm calls (which is how they get their name), and because of this defence mechanism, predators hardly ever manage to get a prairie dog for dinner.

Prairie dogs help make the soil fertile, as their tunnel system channels rainwater into the water table and prevents erosion. Every year they give birth to four pups, who need to be closely nurtured by their mother for 30 days before they grow up.