Prairie Dogs — Reading Comprehension Lesson

Reading Passage

Prairie Dogs

Prairie dogs are not dogs at all — they are stout, burrowing rodents related to ground squirrels and chipmunks. They get their name from the sharp bark-like warning calls they use to communicate. Prairie dogs live in the grasslands and prairies of central North America and are a keystone species, meaning many other animals depend on them for survival.

Prairie dogs build elaborate underground burrow systems called towns. A single town can cover hundreds of acres and contain thousands of animals. The burrows have multiple entrances, nesting chambers, sleeping areas, and listening posts near the surface. Prairie dog towns provide shelter for dozens of other species, including burrowing owls, black-footed ferrets, and rattlesnakes.

Prairie dogs have one of the most sophisticated communication systems of any animal. Their warning calls contain specific information about a predator — including its size, shape, color, and speed. Different calls are given for hawks, coyotes, and humans. Researchers have found that prairie dogs can even incorporate new information into their calls, describing objects they have never seen before.

Prairie dogs live in family groups called coteries, typically consisting of one adult male, several females, and their young. They are primarily vegetarians, eating grasses, roots, and seeds. Many species hibernate partially during winter. Prairie dog populations have declined dramatically due to habitat loss and deliberate poisoning campaigns, threatening the many species that depend on them, including the endangered black-footed ferret.

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