They sing, they dance, they…dig.

Who could it be? Let’s find out!

Although “dog” is in their name, the prairie dog is actually a variety of ground squirrel, a subspecies of the rodent family. This animal has a complex and interesting vocal communication system. Biologists have found at least a dozen specific calls prairie dogs use in the daily lives, including to warn of danger.

Much loved for their playful antics, prairie dogs typically live in a very large colony. With such extensive families, this grassland squirrel has a few other ways of communicating and bonding. When two prairie dogs meet, they often “kiss” by clicking their front teeth together as way to identify and recognize each other.

Another mysterious behavior that is believed to be a source of bonding is the colony-wide “dancing.” One prairie dog will stand up tall and wave his front paws in the air while making a loud call. Very quickly, other prairie dogs will join in and soon, a whole colony of prairie dogs can be “singing” and “dancing.”

Of course, since these awesome animals live in tunnels underground, the prairie dog is constantly digging. In creating their burrowed homes, prairie dogs create rooms sort of like a human home; there is typically a bedroom, pantry, and even a bathroom!