Prairie Dog Alarm Calling

Gunnison’s prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni), Redondo Meadows, Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico, June 2016. Alarm calls, with variations among individuals. Alarm calls are given when a predator has been seen or scented in the area. Sometimes one prairie dog will call and other times several prairie dogs will call. Alarm call sessions can last from several seconds to many minutes, for as long as the threat is perceived. Behavioral ecologist John Hoogland has been researching prairie dogs for 44 y