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Prairie dogs are a bigger type of ground squirrel, that frequent the desert areas of North America. They are social animals that live in large colonies or "towns" collections of prairie dog families that can span hundreds of acres. Just like moles they burrow a far stretching passage system and pile up the excavated earth in mounds, from which they can gaze around the surroundings sitting on their hind legs. Like all rodents they have long front teeth they keep short by gnawing on roots and branches. Their name is derived from their warning call, which resembles the yapping of dogs.
 Indoors prairie dogs will freely act upon their impulse to dig and gnaw on everything they encounter. Almost no material is safe from them: A guinea-pig cage will be easily destroyed and even concrete will not stop them. Eventually the animal will pass the rest of its life in an empty aquarium or other glass tank. And still many owners will remain terrified of their once so beloved housemate. Especially the dominant males can furiously leap towards invaders of their territory.
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