Cynomys gunnisoni (Baird, 1855)

Gunnison's prairie dog

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) external link Showing: scientific names

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Cynomys gunnisoni (Baird, 1855)

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Cynomys gunnisoni
Cynomys gunnisoni
Cynomys gunnisoni

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General Description

Description

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Smithsonian's North American Mammals external link
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Smithsonian Institution - North American Mammals external link
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In the spring, when Gunnison's prairie dogs emerge from hibernation, they eat new, green plants. Later in the summer, as plants begin to turn brown and dry out, they concentrate on flowers and seeds. Their colonies are made up of clans, each with an adult male, several females, and their young. A clan has its own burrows and feeding sites. When population density is low, clan territories have little overlap and territorial defense is not a high priority. When there are as many as 60 prairie dogs per hectare, territories are aggressively defended, with all members of a clan, young and old, actively participating.

Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
References
  • Baird, S.F., 1857 [1858].  Mammals. In Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, p. 334.  Vol. 8, Pt. 1. Mammals. Beverly Tucker Printer, Washington, D.C., 8(1):1-757 + 43 plates.
"Cynomys gunnisoni (Baird, 1855)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/311657". Accessed 17 Mar 2010.