Vigilant
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 were more vigilant than those in urban colonies and displayed a lower proportion of individuals that were non-vigilant in both the spring and summer. If a predator is noticed they make a shrill bark-like alarm sound. Photo © copyright by Robert Faucher.