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Prairie dogs looking out for each other.
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Now we come to a distinctly American animal, the Prairie-dog. These strange creatures live together in vast colonies, or dog-towns, which are generally situated where the soil is soft and sandy. Its name, prairie-dog, comes from two sources : first, because it lives on the prairies, and second, because, when alarmed, it gives a tiny bark like a dog. The dog-towns are often very large and present an odd appearance. Outside the burrow is a mound which has been thrown up in digging. While the prairie-dog is busy burrowing its tunnel and throwing the earth out, another prairie-dog will rush up, fill its paws with earth, and ram it into the hole upon the digger and then scamper off. After awhile, the other prairie-dog comes scratching out of its burrow snorting with anger, goes in search of its enemy, and then there is a fight. Wherever there are prairie-dogs, there are always rattlesnakes and owls. It was thought at one time that the animal, snake, and bird lived peaceably together, but that is not true. The owl and rattlesnake live with the prairie-dog simply because the latter is not strong enough to put them out. They use its burrow, kill its young, and often slay the owner. The prairie-dogs are very cautious. They always have a sentinel on watch, and when it sees anything it does not understand it gives its bark, and the dogs disappear into the burrows. It would seem as if the place was utterly deserted. After awhile the dogs poke their noses out of their holes, and if they think the enemy has gone, they soon come out of hiding once more.
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Kids can learn how to draw an American prairie-dogs step-by-step!
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