If the words "infectiously mischievous" remind you of anyone, then chances are that you have a prairie dog in your life. Petite, attractive and intelligent, this creature's free time is spent in bucolic surroundings, playing socially bonding games with friends and family. But despite its insatiable curiosity, the prairie dog is cautious about venturing into the unknown and the conflict between its homebody tendencies and restless intellect defines its personality.
The Prairie Dog's Social Life
Like most insectivorous creatures, prairie dogs are wary of strangers and are anxious to turn them into allies. Even though it leaves an indelible mark on its community, only a handful of people ever claim to truly know a prairie dog. This subtle alienation distresses the gregarious prairie dog who suffers its periodic bouts of loneliness in silence.
As letter writers, prairie dogs are without equal. Typical of the social animals, they are generous and unselfish with their time and find sharing to be a source of pleasure. Their personal lives are well organized and they confidently tackle life's challenges while building a successful career. Prairie dogs derive a great deal of pleasure from nature and return the favor by conscientiously recycling and encouraging their community to do the same. They spend most of their recreational time at play with close friends and avoid competitive sports that require physical contact. Instead, they prefer group activities that cement social bonding, like card and board games.
A Prairie Dog Needs Balance
Prairie dogs love music and dancing. Outdoor concerts are a special treat, where they draw energy from the crowd under an open sky. They are also creative and enthusiastic lovers, taking pleasure in their partner's pleasure. They are not drawn to any physical type in particular, but seek lovers to whom they can connect on a spiritual level. It is with small woodland personalities -- cottontails, deer and foxes -- that the prairie dog finds its natural balance. It is wont to take the art of lovemaking less seriously than one might expect, viewing sex as simply another opportunity to communicate. This seemingly disinterested approach can disappoint a casual lover who expects something kinkier from this otherwise enthusiastic little creature.
Prairie Dogs in the Wild
Prairie dogs inhabit the plains of North America and live in large "cities," measuring up to two hundred miles long and containing 400 million prairie dogs. Such large populations require an exceptional social communication system, and the prairie dogs live in highly organized groups.
Recent research has suggested that prairie dogs have a vocabulary more extensive than any other animal except man. With up to five sounds to name Predators, prairie dogs also use adjectives to modify these nouns. An approaching man generates a particular alarm call, while a man with a gun elicits a slightly different vocalization.
Although they live in such vast cities, individuals rarely venture from their individual coteries, which cover about an acre. Since most of the individuals within a coterie are related, their social bonds are very strong. When members of a coterie meet, they exchange ritual kisses: Each nibbles the other, and prolonged mutual grooming begins.