Prairie dog

Prairie dog, ground squirrel of the genus Cynomys. Social animals of the open plains of North America, they live in large colonies in connected burrows. They are short-tailed, marmot-like creatures, active by day, feeding, grooming, or sunbathing near their burrows. They frequently raise themselves on their hindlegs to watch for danger. A sharp whistle, given as warning, sends the colony dashing into the burrows.