Customer Reviews

The Black-Tailed Prairie Dog: Social Life of a Burrowing Mammal (Wildlife Behavior and Ecology series)

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This is a book by a scientist, and he was writing for other scientists--But it can be read by anyone with an interest. The author watched a prairie dog town for several months a year for over a decade, marking each of the animals so he could track individuals. He describes details of how he made his observations, but most of the book describes the habits and social behavior of prairie dogs, just as the title says. The book has a LOT of detail, but is readable and interesting. Some is rather surprising, such as prairie dog mothers who attempt to murder their nieces and nephews, but who, if they don't succeed, will nurse these same infants a few weeks later.
Recommended, if you want to "know it all" about prairie dogs! For less intense studies and gorgeous photography, look for "Prairie Dogs, Sentinels of the Plains."

For those interested in learning IN DEPTH about prairie dogs in general--and the black-tailed in particular--this is the book to have. There are probably better books that discuss PDs at a more introductory level. But if you want to get serious then you need to go to the experts, and Dr. Hoogland is "it" when it comes to this fascinating and important Plains animal. The writing is not light, but is certainly readable and understandable for a non-academic reader. The author's passion for his subject is evident throughout, and the lengths he and his team went to to complete their research is fascinating as well.