7. Note that the canines are lacking. The molars are prevalent because this is an animal that eats plants and crushes its food rather than tearing. Like all rodents, the incisors will keep growing if the animal does not wear them down by chewing. This is the same factor that we see so prominently in the beaver.
19. Prairie dogs have a gestation period of one month. Average litter – four , blind and hairless at birth. Young remain underground for six weeks. They are weaned at 8 weeks. Greatest cause of infant mortality is infanticide by female member of coterie.
20. The relation of the Prairie Dog to both grasses and predators is complex
29. Golden Eagles are the most efficient of the aerial predators. Hawks and eagles are most efficient in winter.
30. Badgers are the most prolific and will dig up and kill an entire family
31. Prairie Rattlesnakes I nhabit the burrow, but most often prey on smaller rodents that use the burrows. The young prairie dogs are usually born while the rattler is hibernating.
42. Grazing by bison and pronghorn also helps to maintain the site lines for the prairie dogs Other mammals are aided by the fact that the constant mowing provides the more nutrient rich shoot and reduction of tall grasses encourages forbs