Last autumn , Lake County Animal Control brought a homeless prairie dog to the WDC for emergency care and rehabilitation . Taken into custody under unfortunate circumstances , this fellow was in a seriously emaciated state and required round-theclock fluids and medication for nearly two weeks . Along with that intensive care , a healthy diet , and a lot of interactive support , our little Timone responded well . Now curious and sociable , he squeaks to summon his new friends to come play with him . Should that fail to gain adequate attention , he might just stand upright and “ scream ” with more insistence . Timone is not timid .

Not currently on public exhibit , Timone ’ s world is a sizable habitat outfitted with chew toys and an exercise wheel for burning off pent-up energy . It even boasts a dedicated burrowing area to satisfy his “ hard-wired ” need to dig . On a nice day , Timone might go on a “ field trip ” to the lawn area near the main outdoor interpretative trail .

Based on observations during his care , Timone ( a black-tailed prairie dog , Cynomys ludovicianus ), seems to be getting on in years . He is perhaps nearing the 3-to-5-year average life expectancy typical for these animals . Although that might be average for those in the wild , they are not unknown to reach 8 years of age . Wellcared for black-tailed prairie dogs in captivity seem especially inclined to survive that long .

Very social animals , prairie dogs live in colonies composed of hundreds , even thousands ( or more !) of individuals . These colonies are organized into smaller groups of family affiliations called coteries ( they are likened to “ wards ”). The socially cooperative behavior of the colony is key to its success . Aside from ever vigilant attention to their surroundings and an “ early warning system ” ( they are very vocal , having a variety of barks warning of differing threats ), their complex underground burrows allow for rapid escape – and provide shelter and nesting areas .

Their usual “ agreeable ” social behavior is only interrupted during their annual late winter / early spring nesting period – and until their little broods of maybe 3-8 young begin to leave their nests , ( around seven weeks of age ). Until that exodus , the females are protective of their own family unit . Once they ’ ve ventured out , her young will adapt to their new prairie dog life close to home for the first couple of weeks before wandering beyond , now completely weaned and on a diet of plant material and insects . After the first 15 months or so , these pups will have become mature adults ready to start their own families .

Not surprisingly , prairie dogs seek prime habitat near rivers and creeks where possible , but of course inhabit vast grasslands -- prairies . Considered a keystone species , they are a crucial component of their ecosystem . In addition to the physical impact of the structure of burrows , their foraging is crucial to the balance of certain invertebrate and plant populations . The impact of the colonies and their interference with commercial grazing is under observation and study . Many claim they are detrimental to grazing land , but there is data indicating that might not be entirely the case . Much has yet to be learned , as with so many forms of life pivotal to our ecosystems .

SATURDAY ZOOKEEPER ( 9-14Y ) Since 1997 , this program has provided opportunities for children to learn the complexities of caring for animals in captivity as well as putting those skills to use . Children learn proper handling , care and feeding , and biology of many animals as well as other aspects of captive animal management . Older students have an opportunity to develop their leadership skills while mentoring younger participants .