Prairie Dog

Class

Mammals

 

Order

Rodents

 

Family

Sciuridae

 

Habitat

Prairies of USA, Mexico and Canada

 

Diet

Herbivore

 

Curiosity

Weight from 0.5 to 1.2 kg. The name derives from its original habitat and the fact that its call closely resembles a dog's bark. Despite the fundamental biological role of the prairie dog in the food chain, its population has suffered a sharp numerical decline due to conflict with American livestock farmers who have waged total war against this charming animal.