. Animate creation : popular edition of "Our living world" : a natural history. Zoology; Zoology. THE PRAIRIE DOG. 49 T the Prairie Dogs dive into their burrows, and do not emerge again until they hear the shrill whistle which tells them that the danger is past. As it is so wary an animal, it is with difficulty approached or shot, and even when severely wounded it is not readily secured, owing to its wonderful tenacity of life. A bullet that would instantly drop a deer has, comparatively, no immediate effect upon the Prairie Bog, which is capable of reaching its burrow, even though m
. Animate creation : popular edition of "Our living world" : a natural history. Zoology; Zoology. THE PRAIRIE DOG. 49 T the Prairie Dogs dive into their burrows, and do not emerge again until they hear the shrill whistle which tells them that the danger is past. As it is so wary an animal, it is with difficulty approached or shot, and even when severely wounded it is not readily secured, owing to its wonderful tenacity of life. A bullet that would instantly drop a deer has, comparatively, no immediate effect upon the Prairie Bog, which is capable of reaching its burrow, even though mortally wounded in such a manner as would cause the instantaneous death of many a larger animal. A tolerably large bullet through the brain seems to be the only certain method of preventing a Prairie Dog from regaining his stronghold. The mode by which this animal enters the burrow is very comical. It does not creep or run into the entrance, but makes a jump in the air, turning a partial somersault, flourishing its hind legs and whisking its tail in the most ludicrous manner, and. PRAIRIE DOG - Cynomys ludovi&anus. disappearing as if by magic. Scarcely has the spectator recovered from the ludicrous effect of the manoeuvre, when the animal begins to poke out his head again, and if not disturbed soon recommences his gambols. The burrows of the Prairie Dog are generally made at an angle of forty degrees, and after being sunk for some little distance, run horizontally, or even rise towards the surface of the earth. It is well known that these burrows are not only inhabited by the legitimate owners and excavators, but are shared by the burrowing owl and the rattlesnake. According to pop- ular belief, the three creatures live very harmoniously together; but careful observations have shown that the snake and the owl are interlopers, living in the burrows because the poor owners cannot turn them out, and finding an easy subsistence on the young Prairie Dogs. A rattlesnake has been
Size: 2071px × 1207px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorbr, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectzoology
