When you think about it, prairie dogs have a lot of fun behaviors. They jump into the air, whistle, chat, yap and kiss. You may have seen a video of two prairie dogs putting their faces together and kissing. Biologists have studied this kissing behavior and have come to some surprising conclusions. Interestingly, kissing prairie dogs is more than just a sign of affection.
Read on to find out why prairie dogs kiss, how they live, and what they do when danger is imminent.
Why do prairie dogs kiss?
Look closely and you’ll see that when prairie dogs kiss, they clench their front teeth. Of course, they can also smell other prairie dogs. While this kiss is used as a greeting by these animals, it is also a way to make sure they are members of the same family. Kissing in the world of these little creatures is tantamount to saying someone’s name.
Adult prairie dogs kiss to get to know each other. In addition, the child or puppy will kiss their mother to reassure her that she is around. This behavior is very common in the family of these small animals.
Family affairs for prairie dogs
The family of prairie dogs is known as the circle. The party can include up to 19 people. So, you can see why these animals have to kiss in order to keep an eye on all members of their family! Usually there is one male and at least two or three females in a party, along with their cubs.
Prairie dog coteries live in the same area as other prairie dog coteries. All these families live relatively close to each other, forming a colony or city. Welcome to Prairie Dog City!
Take a close look at the behavior of this small mammal and you will find that the prairie dog colony is divided into chambers. As a rule, each party remains in its own care. One chamber can be located immediately behind a small ridge or hill from another. Families in each ward can see and hear each other, but do not visit. They may even share a food source in the area. All coteries enjoy safe living next to each other, rarely interacting with each other.
Is kissing always positive?
No. Kissing prairie dogs can be a way to find an intruder. Prairie dogs are extremely territorial. With only one male in the circle, this male wants to protect not only the females and cubs in his family, but also his burrow. If one male tries to invade another male’s party, it can quickly turn into a fierce fight.
Female prairie dogs sometimes try to join another female’s circle to kill her pups. Why is this happening? One of the reasons a female kills another’s cubs is to eliminate future competition for food in the habitat. In addition, by killing the cubs, it can cause a shift in territory, allowing more room for the invading female and her cubs.
These animals are always looking for the best ways to ensure their survival and the survival of their young.
How do prairie dogs protect their territory?
Fighting for territory between males can lead to minor or even serious injuries. These mammals have very sharp teeth and claws. In a fight, two prairie dogs chase each other, roll on the ground, and bite each other. This happens until one of the males leaves, showing that the other is dominant.
Two fighting prairie dogs make many growling and growling sounds. This attracts the attention of other men in the area. So, in the process of fighting one male, the dominant male shows the other in this area that he is the strongest. This can prevent other men from challenging him in the future.
Of course, some males yield their territory to stronger males during the fight. As a result, the weaker male is forced to look for another place of residence and create a new family. Strength and ability to defend territory are important to male prairie dogs.
How big is prairie dog territory?
One circle requires approximately one acre of land. But keep in mind that some prairie dog cities can stretch over hundreds of acres of land. In Texas, biologists report that the prairie dog city spans 25,000 square miles!
How do prairie dogs protect themselves from predators?
These animals are always on the alert. There is a good reason for this. Snakes, foxes, coyotes, eagles and badgers are all on their long list of predators. Although prairie dogs are not large enough to successfully fight these predators, prairie dogs have ways to protect themselves.
Prairie dogs have excellent eyesight and hearing. This helps them stay alert for predators in the area. When one prairie dog sees or hears danger, it begins to warn others in its circle and the colony as a whole with a series of chirping and barking. This animal stands on its hind legs, chirping loudly and barking into the air. Other prairie dogs start repeating the warning across territories. This gives prairie dogs time to hide in their underground burrows.
When the predator has left the area or the danger has disappeared, these animals jump and bark to tell others in the area that it is safe. Such joint behavior of these animals can not always save everyone’s life, but it gives most of them a real chance to avoid danger.
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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the habitat of prairie dogs?
Prairie dogs live in the grasslands and prairies of North America. In particular, the habitat is a burrow with a series of tunnels and “rooms”. Each of the rooms serves a specific purpose. Some have food, others are for sleeping, there are rooms for females and their babies. Burrow entrances and exits are usually located near mud mounds. These burrows can be up to 15 feet.
This animal is always digging, repairing and complementing its complex burrow system.
Are prairie dogs endangered?
There are several endangered prairie dog species. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species classifies the Utah prairie dog and the Mexican prairie dog as critically endangered.
The Gunnison Prairie Dog, Black-tailed Prairie Dog and White-tailed Prairie Dog are all reported as Least Concern, but their populations are declining.
What are the threats to the prairie dog population?
Habitat loss is one of the threats to them. The expansion of agricultural land and the construction of residential areas are taking up the land on which prairie dogs make their homes. In addition, these animals are poisoned by some farmers and ranchers because they are considered pests. Sometimes they eat seeds and plants growing on farms, and also dig up parts of crops.
Are prairie dogs aggressive or shy?
Prairie dogs are considered shy animals. Although they are curious, they will disappear into their burrow if a person or a dangerous animal gets too close.
The exception is males, who become aggressive when defending their territory, and females are aggressive when defending their cubs. But such aggression is typical for many species of animals.
Prairie dogs living in a zoo are likely to be bolder than those living in the wild. The animals at the zoo are accustomed to being fed, cleared by zoo keepers, and moved around their habitat. This way, the animals are less frightened knowing they are safe and cared for.
Are prairie dogs important to the ecosystem?
Yes! These animals play an important role in the ecosystem. First, prairie dogs are a food source for many animal species. In addition, by digging and digging holes, these animals aerate the soil, making room for more plants to grow. Several other animals (which also play an important role in a successful ecosystem) take refuge in abandoned prairie dog burrows. These include snakes, burrowing owls, weasels and ferrets to name just a few.
Do prairie dogs make good pets?
Take a look at the adorable face of this little mammal and you might think that it will make the perfect pet. After all, it looks like a very large gerbil. But the truth is, they make bad pets. They are wild animals that want to bury themselves deep in the ground and live with many of the other prairie dogs in the family.
But just because you can’t keep it as a pet doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy exploring these busy little creatures.