Utah Prairie Dog

activity

Activity patterns. Utah Prairie Dogs are diurnal and hibernate in burrows for lengthy winters that last up to ¢. 7 months. Adults typically emerge in February and enter hibernation in late summer or early autumn; juveniles remain active until October-November.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Open grasslands and sagebrush flats. The Utah Prairie Dog avoidssites with a slope and abandons areas where vegetation obstructs view of surroundings.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Burrows are relatively complex with multiple entrances and are recognizable by small piles of soil and barren rings around entrances. Utah Prairie Dogs live in colonies known as “ towns. ” Burrows can be complex, with up to ten entrances and 1 - 3 nests. Burrows typically do not exceed 6 m in length and perhaps 3 m in depth. Colonies vary considerably in their size and density. Utah Prairie Dogs are highly social, and typical social units (“ clans ”) are composed of an adult male, several adult females, and immature young less than two years of age. Amicable interactions among adults and juveniles include kissing, analand oralgland sniffing, and playing. Hostile interactions among adults of both sexes consist of fights, chases, and territorial disputes. Adult females within a clan are always close kin. Following first emergence ofjuveniles from nursery burrows, females commonly nurse offspring of other females until weaning is complete (in another 1 - 3 weeks); beneficiaries of such communal nursing are usually close kin, such as grand offspring, nieces, and nephews. Young are much more likely to disperse from natal areas if other rela

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. The Utah Prairie Dog lives in multi-burrow colonies. Females usually mate within several days of their emergence from hibernacula. Multiple paternities of litters are common. Females attain sexual maturity and mate as yearlings. Most males delay reproduction until two years old. Young are born after gestation of 28 - 30 days and remain in the burrow for c. 5 - 5 weeks. Litters at emergence are 1 - 7 young, and young are weaned soon afterward. A female produces one litter per year.

Sciuridae