Alarmist
North Dakota
Prairie dogs are colonial animals that live in complex networks of tunnels with multiple openings. Black-Tailed Prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) the species encountered in the Roosevelt national Park, in rural colonies (coterie) are more vigilant than those in urban colonies and display a lower proportion of individuals that are non-vigilant in both the spring and summer. If a predator is noticed they make a shrill bark-like alarm sound with front limb extension, as this individual is doing with his exaggerated behavior. Black-tailed prairie dogs code specific information within their alarm calls pertaining to the specific nature of the threat (e.g., aerial versus terrestrial predator) allowing coterie members to respond appropriately. Photo © copyright by Robert Faucher.