Prairie Dogs are small animals that are endangered. They are found in the United States and found in a part of Canada called Sask. There are five different species of Prairie Dogs. For example there is the Black-tailed Prairie Dog, the White-tailed Prairie Dog, and the Mexican Prairie Dog. There is also the Gunnison's Prairie Dog and the Utah Prairie Dog. The Mexican Prairie Dog is endangered and the Utah Prairie Dog is threatened.

Prairie Dogs are very social. Hundreds of Prairie Dogs can live in one colony! Each colony is divided into wards, then into coteries. Each coterie is made up of about twenty family members. Prairie Dogs eat grass. They also eat alfalfa, hay, wheat, and corn. They destroy crops from farmers and create less food.

Prairie Dogs sit outside their burrow and watch what is going on. To keep water from damaging their burrow there is a mound of dirt.

Prairie Dogs have many enemies. One way Prairie Dogs die is by shooting contests. Also by hunting and trapping. Another is diseases. Many animals use Prairie Dogs for food. Hawks, eagles, owls, badgers, snakes, ferrets, coyotes, and wolves are the Prairie Dogs enemies. Rabbits, hares, small rodents, burrowing owls, snakes, and black-footed ferrets live in the Prairie Dog burrows. As do squirrels, toads, salamanders, spiders, and mice.

Black-tailed Prairie Dogs have about eleven calls. When danger is near, they alert other family members by making a loud bark while standing on either two or four legs. Sometimes Prairie Dogs stand on their hind legs, stretch up high, and throw their arms up in the air. At the same time it makes a loud yell. Some say it is a sign that a predator has left. Prairie Dogs belong to the class, Mammilla and Phylum Vertebrata. They are covered in fur and are light brown. They weigh ½-4 lbs. And are 10-11" long. Their tail is 3-5" long. When standing up they are 13-14" high. Prairie Dogs have 3-8 babies in one year. The mating season is March and April. The gestation period is 28-32 days. Prairie Dogs are very interesting rodents. They are also very smart.