Lords of the underground...

Prairie dogs attract visitors to West Texas

by Billy Close

If you have been to West Texas or the Texas Panhandle chances are you have seen the cute and cuddle prairie dog.

They can be viewed in pet stores, zoos, state parks, or even along side the highway as you venture from town to town. From the roadway you can see mound after mound of dirt resembling small volcanoes. The term “prairie dog” is actually a misnomer, as they have no relation to the canine species. Though they resemble a small fat pup and make a sound that resembles a bark, they are actually a ground squirrel and, therefore, a member of the rodent family.