Sciuridae

Question 1

How many species of prairie dogs are there?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 5

Answer 1

C) 5
There are two subgroups within the genus Cynomys. The black-tailed subgroup consists of the Mexican (C. mexicanus) and black-tailed (C. ludovicianus) prairie dogs. These species have long (7–10 cm or 2.7–4 in.) black-tipped tails, live at low elevations (700–2200 m or 2300–7200 ft above sea level) in low growing vegetation and do not hibernate. The white-tailed group contains Gunnison’s (C. gunnisoni), Utah (C. parvidens), and white-tailed prairie dogs (C. leucurus). These animals have short (3–7 cm or 1.2–2.8 in.) white or gray-tipped tails, live at high elevations (1500–3000 m or 4900–9800 ft above sea level) with some medium to tall shrubs and hibernate for an average of 4 months.

Question 2

How many toes do prairie dogs have?

Answer 2

5 toes in the front feet and 5 toes in the back feet (total of 20)

Question 3

Does knowing the geographic source of the prairie dogs help with species identification?

Answer 3

Yes, their ranges minimally overlap

Question 4

Which prairie dog species are endangered/threatened?

Answer 4

Mexican prairie dogs (endangered) and Utah prairie dogs (threatened). Gunnison’s prairie dog and white tailed prairie dogs are also candidates for listing. Black tailed prairie dogs are unlisted but have been listed as threatened in the past.

Question 5

What is the scientific name of the black tailed prairie dog?

Answer 5

Cynomys ludovicianus

Question 6

Are pet prairie dogs captive bred?

Answer 6

Rarely - they are challenging to breed in captivity

Question 7

When were prairie dogs banned for sale within the US?

Answer 7

2003-2008 following an outbreak of monkey pox spread from a Gambian pouched rat to pet prairie dogs

Question 8

Which three zoonotic diseases are associated with prairie dogs?

Answer 8

Bubonic/sylvatic plaque (Yersinia pestis), monkey pox (monkeypox virus), and Tularemia (Francisella tularensis) - outbreak of tularemia in Japan led to them being banned as imports.

Question 9

What is the mortality rate of Yersinia pestis on prairie dog colonies?

Answer 9

Nearly 100% mortality of the colony in less than 14 days.

Question 10

What are jump yip calls used for in prairie dogs?

Answer 10

“All clear” signal, and also in response to snakes

Question 11

What behaviors do prairie dogs show in response to a snake being nearby?

Answer 11

Jump yip, foot drumming, kicking substrate, tooth chattering, and biting

Question 12

What does a frizzed tail mean in a prairie dog?

Answer 12

Aggression/biting is likely

Question 13

Do prairie dogs have more rods or cones in their retinas?

Answer 13

Prairie dogs have a plethora of cones and paucity of rod photoreceptors in their retinas (9:1 ratio).

Question 14

What gland is likely involved in the “kissing” behavior of prairie dogs?

Answer 14

Mouth corner apocrine gland. During a “kiss” greeting (Figure 14.2), the prairie dog tilts its head at a 45° or 90° angle, opens its jaws, and touches the open mouth of another prairie dog which responds in kind. This is often accompanied by tail wagging and its frequently following by allogrooming.

Question 15

How many perianal glands do prairie dogs have?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4

Answer 15

B) 3
Prairie dogs have three secretory glands located in the opening of the anus used for intraspecific identification. The perianal glands look like small pinkish tubes that will protrude when the prairie dog is excited. The odor is mildly offensive and secretions are waxy in nature. During interactions, both prairie dogs assume a crouching position. One animal then turns around, everts the three perianal gland duct nipples through the anal orifice, and present them to the second animal. The second animal smells the nipples, and then the positions are reversed and the activity is repeated. Neutering decreases the smell.

Question 16

What are prairie dog family groups called and what do they consist of?

Answer 16

Coteries - usually comprised of 1–4 females and their offspring and 1 breeding adult male. Coterie size can vary from 1 to as many as 29 individuals with an average of 11. Large coteries sometimes contain two breeding males that are close kin (father and son or two full brothers). Females typically remain in the natal family groups their entire lives. Thus, families contain females of close kin (mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, nieces, and cousins).

Question 17

What is the lifespan of a wild vs captive prairie dog?

Answer 17

prairie dogs can live up to 5 or 6 years in the wild. In a captive environment, prairie dogs can live up to 10 or 12 years.

Question 18

How long are prairie dog females receptive to mating?

Answer 18

female prairie dog is sexually receptive for an estimated 5 hours on only 1 day of each year.

Question 19

What is the gestation of prairie dogs?

Answer 19

the average length of gestation is 33–38 days.

Question 20

How old are prairie dogs when they are weaned?

Answer 20

Pups nurse for an average of 41 days.

Question 21

What is a visual way of determining pregnancy in prairie dogs?

Answer 21

When a female is pregnant, the first visual sign is the fur circling the nipples becomes white

Question 22

How old are prairie dogs when their eyes open for the first time?

Answer 22

Their eyes will not open until 38–39 days.

Question 23

What do wild prairie dogs eat?

Answer 23

Prairie dogs are herbivorous rodents that occasionally ingest insects. During spring and summer, they feed primarily on wheat grass, buffalo grass, scarlet globe mallow, and rabbit brush. In winter when grasses are few, they switch their diet to prickly pear, cactus, thistle, and roots.

Question 24

What is an idea captive prairie dog diet?

Answer 24

In captivity, prairie dogs thrive on a diet that is low in protein (13%), low in fat, and at least 60% fiber. The most well-accepted diet for captive prairie dogs consists of timothy, brome, fescue and oat hays (not alfalfa), washed and dried grass (free of fertilizers and pesticides), commercial prairie dog pellets, and water. If prairie dogs pellets aren’t available, a pelleted chinchilla diet or a low-calcium rabbit pellet may be combined with a vegetable mix with a ratio of 1.5–2:1 calcium to phosphorous as a supplement. The hay should be offered free choice and comprise 70% of the diet while the pellets should be rationed at ¼–⅓ cup per pet daily to minimize obesity. Avoid mixes which contain seeds and nuts, dried fruits, yogurt, cabbage, sweets (e.g., fruit, corn, baby carrots, tomatoes), and high protein items. Fresh vegetables, mostly leafy greens, are suggested and may be added to the diet (up to 10–15%) of the total food intake daily.

Question 25

When should prairie dog males be neutered?

Answer 25

Asap - before the first rut!!! A male prairie dog should be neutered if he is to be an enjoyable pet. If you fail to neuter the first fall of the year of his birth, the surgery should be scheduled the following late spring. During breeding season or “rut,” males exhibit hormonally controlled behavior such as extreme, unpredictable biting, and increased urinating. If neutering happens after the rut the learned aggressive behaviors may persist.

Question 26

What are clinical signs of rut in prairie dogs?

Answer 26

Physical changes during rut are descended testicles, engorged vasculature in the scrotum, a heavier scented musky odor, and increased dribbling of urine and/or secretions from the penis. Behavioral changes may include aggressiveness, unpredictable behavior, biting, and tooth chattering. The physical changes will subside with the arrival of spring.