We encountered a Prairie Dog Village somewhere near a National Park --- could have been Yellowstone. It was a protected area but you could stand and watch the activity. There were many holes in the ground and you never knew when a cute little head would pop up and look around. There was a diagram --- somewhat like a house floor plan --- sleeping area, eating area, etc. It was fun to "visit! "
Prairie Dog Town is right off I90 near Big Timber, MT. Lots of fun to watch the little rascals.
JAMP124
Jun 8, 2020
Thanks, nana24. I know I have that in a "trip book" --- all of which are still in a packing (moving) box in my storage area! Some day I'll get to them. Thanks for jogging that memory!
I own a prairie dog as a pet, and live in Belgium, Europe. They are very cute, and are pack animals. For him, we are his family. We keep him inside in a large cage but we let him out whenever we can, so he can walk around our living area. And no, you cannot eat them!
I have one like this that made a home under my garden shed. He dug this huge hole and even tho we've filled it several times he keeps getting in there. They can be vicious and destructive.
Try putting moth balls down the hole. Heard that it will keep them out.
pixipixil
Jan 25, 2013
That didn't work for us. We had to use the commercial bombs to kill them. I really hated doing it but we had five families and huge mounds to deal with. You have to block both entrances and make sure they're in the hole. I forget if they stay in at night or during the day.
Jingles
Jan 25, 2013
What are commercial bombs and where do you buy them?
pixipixil
Jan 27, 2013
I used to get them at Montgomery Ward's which shows how long ago I had a farmhouse and veg garden. You could try places that have garden centers or you can try plant catalogues. I still get reams of them and Jung's has Revenge rodent smoke bombs. Gurney's might also along with any catalog that specializes in vegetable seed for farmers. They look like a role of quarters and have a wick. When you know the rodents are in their dens you shovel dirt over all but one entry and put the bomb in with the wick lit. Shovel some dirt over that entry too and back off. It will explode and send poisonous (probably sulphur) gas which quickly kills the rodents which are handily already buried.
He is cute, isn't he? I know I keep referring everyone to google, but it does explain the differences - well it describes each one. The groundhog is also known as a woodchuck, and the prairie dog isn't, so at least you know they're not the same.
Do they have prairie dogs in countries other than the USA?
Prairie dogs live in burrows and actually make a barking noise to warn others of danger. In Montana they have a protected area called Prairie dog town, you can stop there and see them in their natural habitat.
When Lewis and Clark were exploring the U. S., They came upon a little animal that sounded like a dog barking. They sent one to President Jefferson along with plant samples of the things they were discovering. Because this animal barked, they called it a Prairie Dog.
And yes, logansport, I think it looks like a cross between a squirrel and a huge rat!
toadalove
Jan 25, 2013
Wow! What a nice piece of history! Thank you!
mountainmama
Jan 25, 2013
Never knew that! How interesting! Thank you for sharing that piece of history.
aussiesapphire
Jan 25, 2013
WOW!!!! So much information. Thank you all so much. I will be offline for a few days. My computer died on me this morning and I am using my husband's laptop and it doesn't obey me as well as mine does lol. Will miss you all- so a temporary bye for now. (26 Jan)
I had only seen pictures of them standing on their hind legs and thought they were rather cute....but I dont like the one in this puzzle, he seems to have a very large body and a tiny head. 25/01/13 2:50 Pm
Prairie dogs live in burrows and actually make a barking noise to warn others of danger. In Montana they have a protected area called Prairie dog town, you can stop there and see them in their natural habitat.
it would be fine if they could do a field lol