I once saw a prairie dog colony at a zoo. They are indeed ultra cute and I couldn't imagine looking at one and thinking, "Oh gee, look, it's a cute prairie dog, let's shoot the little guy!" Do people actually eat them (despite the risk of bubonic plague) or do they just shoot them for so-called "sport" (though it doesn't seem sporting to go around shooting critters just for the hell of it)? The closest thing we have in NH are groundhogs, which are cute, but not anywhere near as cute as a barking prairie dog colony - and they don't hang in in colonies. Thank you for your insight on these adorable critters!
There are prairie dog haters out there, and they are the ones who drive the tractors to bury the dogs. Or target practice on them. I mean, their colonies can stretch for a quarter mile, which is why they provide habitat for so many critters. But they are “wasting” the land, so the death sentence comes for them. I hated that silent field when I walked through it.
As you said, they were here (or there, in your case), first. I would say a McMansion is a worse waste of land, but that's just me. I'm glad they're sneaking back. 🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿
The $38.49 license is the part that gets me. The bulldozers cleared the whole colony for free. The fee only starts once you're down to killing them one at a time.
I find them cute as buttons doing what they are meant to do: dig, burrow, hunt, eat, reproduce and play: I did not know about hugs and kisses. I am even more enamored. Thanks.
thank you, Peter. I’m going through a pretty intense treatment, which has sapped my strength. (making me particularly impressed by those complex prairie dog condos.) but it ends next week and I hope to be getting it back soon. Of course I also wish that something terrible would happen to Trump and you see how well that has worked out.
It really was a delightful piece. got me out of cancer land for a spell, which was a gift.
The good news came at the end, when you heard them once again. They are persistent. I hope the best for the prairie dogs.
I can peacefully coexist with rodents until they come inside which a of them did when I was growing up in NH. A red squirrel chewed a hole into the wall next to my bed and then the bed itself. While I was in it.
I, too, am saddened when they take away the colonies. I keep waiting for them to show up in the “greenbelt” behind my house. But they’ve avoided the spot for at least 35 years. I’ll enjoy them from afar in the meantime. Thanks for the reminder of their cuteness!
So of course I had to do a search for how they ‘bark’… kind of a chirp. And their tails are just beyond so adorable!!! Sometimes screentime is pretty wonderful and algorithms serve up nature videos by the hundreds when you need them!
I must say that the squirrel that owns the primitive alpine campsite I visit yearly cusses a blue streak like a fishwife on steroids compared to your sweet neighbors. Chucks pinecones at me too. I feel so seen.
Thank you for sharing this! They are cooler and insulated underground, and ought to survive longer than humans in our hubris.
I once saw a prairie dog colony at a zoo. They are indeed ultra cute and I couldn't imagine looking at one and thinking, "Oh gee, look, it's a cute prairie dog, let's shoot the little guy!" Do people actually eat them (despite the risk of bubonic plague) or do they just shoot them for so-called "sport" (though it doesn't seem sporting to go around shooting critters just for the hell of it)? The closest thing we have in NH are groundhogs, which are cute, but not anywhere near as cute as a barking prairie dog colony - and they don't hang in in colonies. Thank you for your insight on these adorable critters!
There are prairie dog haters out there, and they are the ones who drive the tractors to bury the dogs. Or target practice on them. I mean, their colonies can stretch for a quarter mile, which is why they provide habitat for so many critters. But they are “wasting” the land, so the death sentence comes for them. I hated that silent field when I walked through it.
As you said, they were here (or there, in your case), first. I would say a McMansion is a worse waste of land, but that's just me. I'm glad they're sneaking back. 🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿
The $38.49 license is the part that gets me. The bulldozers cleared the whole colony for free. The fee only starts once you're down to killing them one at a time.
Recreational, I guess.
As a lifelong member of Team Rodent, ever since I got my first of several guinea pigs at age 7, I am adding “see prairie dogs” to my bucket list.
They are so damn cute and interesting. I watch them all the time!
I find them cute as buttons doing what they are meant to do: dig, burrow, hunt, eat, reproduce and play: I did not know about hugs and kisses. I am even more enamored. Thanks.
And the prairie dogs love you back, I’m sure.
A charming piece that took me away permanent insane world. Thank you!
It does me good to see a note from you, Joyce. I’ve been thinking about you this summer and wishing you the best.
thank you, Peter. I’m going through a pretty intense treatment, which has sapped my strength. (making me particularly impressed by those complex prairie dog condos.) but it ends next week and I hope to be getting it back soon. Of course I also wish that something terrible would happen to Trump and you see how well that has worked out.
It really was a delightful piece. got me out of cancer land for a spell, which was a gift.
Joyce
And I think their holes are small enough horses don't get their hooves stuck.
A myth! Horses are too smart to step in prairie dog holes!
Whoopsie. I forgot to include the link to my commentary on NPR. Here it is! Arf! Arf! https://www.kunc.org/kunc-commentators/2026-07-03/why-coloradans-should-spare-a-thought-for-their-local-prairie-dogs
The good news came at the end, when you heard them once again. They are persistent. I hope the best for the prairie dogs.
I can peacefully coexist with rodents until they come inside which a of them did when I was growing up in NH. A red squirrel chewed a hole into the wall next to my bed and then the bed itself. While I was in it.
I, too, am saddened when they take away the colonies. I keep waiting for them to show up in the “greenbelt” behind my house. But they’ve avoided the spot for at least 35 years. I’ll enjoy them from afar in the meantime. Thanks for the reminder of their cuteness!
So of course I had to do a search for how they ‘bark’… kind of a chirp. And their tails are just beyond so adorable!!! Sometimes screentime is pretty wonderful and algorithms serve up nature videos by the hundreds when you need them!
I must say that the squirrel that owns the primitive alpine campsite I visit yearly cusses a blue streak like a fishwife on steroids compared to your sweet neighbors. Chucks pinecones at me too. I feel so seen.
Thank you for sharing this! They are cooler and insulated underground, and ought to survive longer than humans in our hubris.