The authors synthesize the results of their long-running study of Gunnison’s prairie dogs (Cynomys gunnisoni), one of the keystone species of the short-grass prairie ecosystem. By examining the complex factors behind prairie dog decline, we can begin to understand the problems inherent in our adversarial relationship with the natural world.
Some 100 color photos by a professional Texas photographer and science teacher showcase these gregarious rodents in their natural habitat. Graves discusses their varieties, habits, biology, range, and role in the ecosystem. Includes information on habitat decline by state since 1870, and where they can still be seen.
A prairie dog, standing on its hind legs, spots a badger on the prowl for its next meal. The little animal quickly begins jumping up and down and letting out a series of short barks. Other prairie dogs know that means it's not safe to stay outside, so they bark to help spread the warning before vanishing into their underground burrows. By communicating the danger to each other, all the prairie dogs stay safe from the predator. Clear text and colorful photos and diagrams will engage young readers as they learn about the natural habitat, physical characteristics, diet, and behavior of these resourceful animals. Age-appropriate activities and critical-thinking questions give readers a chance to make observations and gain insights beyond the facts and figures.
Have you ever seen a hole in the ground and wondered what's beneath it? It could be a prairie dog! These cute little mammals build communities of underground tunnels. Get all the facts about prairie dogs, and find out what's going on beneath the surface.
Pierre used to be a show dog. Now he travels with three new friends, answering to no humans, enjoying a free and easy life, trying to stay out of trouble. But trouble comes looking for him, and before long Pierre and his friends are head-to-head with the bull dogs.
For thousands of years, green and gold grasses covered North America from Canada to Mexico. The prairie and desert grasslands were home to a variety of animals, from small prairie dogs to huge bison. But in the nineteenth century, ranching and farming took hold in the grasslands, and over time many of the animals and plants vanished. Then, in the late 1980s, scientists discovered a region in Mexico where green and gold grasses still waved and prairie dogs still barked. The scientists understood the importance of this grassland ecosystem and the prairie dogs' key role in it. Could they now preserve the area and bring back its lost animals and plants? This moving nonfiction tale of environmental recovery builds on the success of the acclaimed Parrots Over Puerto Rico and The Mangrove Tree. Cumulative song text plus prose passages combine to celebrate North America's grasslands, their iconic prairie dogs, and the dedicated scientists who work to make the grasslands healthy again. Comprehensive backmatter makes this book perfect for classroom use, with text that hits both Science and Social Studies Common Core Standards. Teacher's Guide available at leeandlow.com.