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With
the emergence of young prairie dogs, coteries can number
as many as 40 individuals. Underground tunnels connect to
special-use rooms such as bedrooms, nurseries and latrines.
These tunnels are used for shelter by many other prairie
wildlife species, including snakes, toads, insects, birds
and mammals.
Prairie dogs have a sophisticated form of communication.
Humans have been able to identify up to 11 different calls.
They use physical contact, such as nuzzling and kissing
as well as vocalization, such as barking a warning, to communicate.
Members of a prairie dog town take turns keeping watch.
If the sentry sees danger he will call out a warning and
the community will dive into their burrows and wait for
the "all clear" call before venturing out again.
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