PI Prairie Dog is a principal investigator for the ARM Program. He lives in the western United States in a large prairie dog colony called a town or village. An undisturbed colony can have thousands of residents and extend for miles in all directions. One colony that was discovered in the 19th century was as big as Belgium! Even though PI Prairie Dog has a “dog” name, he is actually part of the squirrel family.

Although some people consider the prairie dog pests, they do many good things too. Their burrows act as homes to other animals, including badgers, rabbits, and insects. Prairie dogs also burrow; this works to loosen and churn the soil, making it better for plants. Their foraging and feeding practices create a more nutritious and nitrogen-rich mixture of grasses and other plants, which attracts a wide range of wildlife who graze in their colonies.

PI Prairie Dog has growing concerns about global warming because his homeland is especially sensitive to changes in precipitation and temperature. The rise in temperature will continue to threaten his habitat by increasing fire frequency and vulnerability to invasive plant and insect species.

PI Prairie Dog wants you to help him with a scavenger hunt! Use the ARM Education website to find the answers to the clues!

For more information on prairie dogs, please visit the following links:

• Underdogs: Prairie Dogs at Home
• Save the Prairie Dogs: Save the Prairie
• Texas Parks & Wildlife Nature: Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
• Small Mammals of North Dakota: Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
• Making Room for Prairie Dogs
• National Wildlife Federation: Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs
• Prairie Dogs
• Creature World: Black-Tailed Prairie Dog

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