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If we are talking about meadow dogs, it is difficult to even imagine that you have to face rodents. Outwardly, they resemble marmots or gophers, but at the same time they are capable of making sounds similar to dogs barking. In past times, these rodents were massively destroyed, and now many of them are bred as pets. This is facilitated by the fact that their lifestyle is similar to human.
Some features and nature of the habitat
Their habitat is the desert and steppe territory of the North American continent and central Mexico. They prefer to be on a dry grassy plain with a nearby body of water. But in places where there is moist soil and lowlands, they do not like to be. These rodents can exist in five forms. Each of them has its own coat color and the territory of their predominant habitat.
Inhabited by the prairies, they are capable of causing significant damage, which, of course, is not to the liking of the locals. For this they disliked these rodents and always subjected to destruction. Horses could be crippled if the leg fell into the hole of a rodent. The same goes for cattle. Before the start of the company for their destruction in nature, there were about a million individuals. Mass destruction yielded results. Today, only 2% of the amount that was before is observed. People battered them pretty much.
An adult animal can grow up to 35 cm, and gain weight up to 2 kg. But in different seasons, the animal weighs differently. Females are more modest in size. The animals got their name because they are capable of making sounds similar to puppies barking. Meadow dog is a good competitor to any excellent digger. The ability to dig well is caused by the presence of sharp claws on their paws.
The color of a fur coat varies in a wide range. It is characterized by a very different color, in which you can find gray, brown and dark tones. The abdomen is painted in light beige. The head is round, and eyes with a wide setting are located on it. Thick ears hide their ears. The body ends with a small and fluffy tail.
Animals can create a labyrinth, the length of which reaches 350 m. Its depth can be 5 meters. In area, it can occupy 1 hectare, and in the territory you can observe the presence of a large number of exits. Separate labyrinths count up to 50 exits. On the surface, the animals form a shaft in the form of a ring. This is a kind of protection against flooding. At the same time, he plays the role of a watchtower.
Enemies
These animals have many enemies. They are hunted by a badger, coyote, snakes, fox, and other animals that are predators. An attack from above is undertaken by golden eagles and falcons.
Certain lifestyle moments
Meadow dogs are characterized by their own social hierarchy. The family headed by the male includes up to 20 individuals. In addition to the male, 3-4 females and two-year-old offspring enter the seed structure.All of them live in a separate "cottage", where even a children's room is allocated for future offspring. In it, the female gives birth and feeds the cubs. Naturally, the male is assigned the role of a guard. He rather skillfully and expressedly guards his home.
Family members do not like strangers. They try their best to get rid of them. At the same time, they avoid physical measures of influence and only in exceptional cases destroy especially persistent intruders. The community is characterized by a strict distribution of functions. Builders stand out in it. They create new galleries and repair old buildings. The guards are a separate group. Their task is to ensure the safety of the town. Finally, individual individuals act as educators. Their functions include teaching the young generation the rules of survival.
These rodents are especially gifted animals. They are distinguished by industriousness and exhibit pronounced communication. They do this by means of sounds reminiscent of a dog barking, which is accompanied by tail strokes. Scientists compare this communication with the language of dolphins or primates. The rodent, making sounds, not only warns of a threat, but also talks about who is coming and from which direction. If something threatens, the animal tries to stay close to the burrow or even goes deep into the depths.
The most active rodents in the daytime. In the afternoon, they not only work, but also play with the kids and communicate with each other. These animals can even kiss. This occurs by touching each other with an open mouth. Family relationships are distinguished by a trusting and caring nature. All such rodents, with the exception of the black-tailed meadow dog, are capable of hibernating. They fall asleep from the end of August and sleep until March, when it gets warmer.
Nature of nutrition
They feed mainly on the grass that can be found where they live. The food is represented by flowers, leaves, buds and even fresh fruits and nuts. Worms and insects may be present in the diet, although such food is not typical for them.
Rodents do not make reserves. Everything is eaten right on the spot. They have no pantries. Those who have not hibernated use any vegetation that they come across in winter in their diet.
Propagation Features
The mating season falls in the early spring. The female is able to bear offspring up to 32 weeks. The litter consists of 4-7 cubs. This happens once a year. A born baby is deprived of a fur coat and is not able to see. 6 weeks after birth, the young rodent begins to show signs of independence. He is trying to get out of the hole. During this period, they no longer need breast milk, but switch to plant foods.
Parents in relation to posterity show expressed concern. They can even leave their own housing for the kids, and build a new shelter for themselves. Growing males create a new family. Females can stay with their parents.
In the wild, the lifespan of these rodents is 5-7 years. At home, they can live much longer, of course, if all conditions are created for this. The animals are very easy to tame. Accustomed to new conditions, they do not even attempt to escape into the wild.
Rodent care at home
Many express a desire to acquire this animal at home. Not everyone knows at what age it is worth buying a rodent. It is better to buy a beast at such an age when he just stopped eating mother’s milk and switched to plant foods. If you do this before this time, the animal will simply die. Without breast milk, it will not survive. This is due to the fact that when the mother receives milk, the animals form “baby fat”. It protects the baby from external factors. If it is not, the animal can die from elementary hypothermia.It is better to bring an animal to the house when it turns 2-4 months old.
Care Rules
If the animal is small enough, then you need to take care of food that will suit him. It should be fed whole milk mixed with electrolytes. Do this using a special syringe purchased at a pet store. It is intended for feeding chicks. The injection of milk is carried out very carefully. Avoid contact with milk in the tracheal cavity. They are fed only with warm milk, and they do it every 3 hours.
Pet's home
No matter what age the animal is, he still needs a dwelling. In any case, it should be spacious. One cannot escape from natural habits, therefore conditions are created for the rodent to have the opportunity to dig a hole. This is ensured by placing in the housing a sufficient layer of substrate consisting of sand and earth. Their volumes should be equivalent. If a cage is used as a dwelling, then dry grass is laid on the bottom. But, if the rodent will relieve its need directly on her, then unpleasant odors can not be avoided. Therefore, under the cage should be a tray. You can make a special bed for the animal in which he will sleep. It must be placed in a cage just before bedtime. This animal is considered smart, therefore, it will never spoil a crib.
In order not to be bored, the animal is provided with toys. You can be sure that the animal will use them for their intended purpose. But toys should not be soft. Their manufacture requires a dense material. Do not forget that the rodent has rather sharp teeth. It will be nice to put branches, driftwood in the cage. The animal will only be glad about this.
Accustoming to the toilet is a troublesome occupation, but it is quite possible to implement it. Under the toilet, you can select a large cat tray. Inside it is filled with filler. It is necessary to clean the cage in the morning. It will take only 5-10 minutes.
In the home, it is necessary to maintain a temperature that is comfortable for the animal. It should be in the range of 19 to 25 degrees. Rodent refers to heat-loving animals. You can put in the cage thermal mats.
Hygiene procedures
Water is taught gradually. If you just take and dip the animal in the water, then it will receive extreme stress. At first, the stream of water from the shower goes to the limbs, then they rise higher and cover the whole body with a stream. Water should be avoided in the ears, otherwise they may become inflamed. Then a visit to the veterinarian can not be avoided. After bathing, the animal should be thoroughly wiped with a soft towel. Up to 6 months, bathing is not carried out. You can simply periodically use wet wipes to wipe the body.
Feeding
Despite the fact that the rodent is an exotic animal, it is not at all picky in its diet. It is necessary to feed it with grass, cereals, bulbous plants. In general, food should not be very different from what exists in the wild.
Video: prairie dogs (Cynomys)
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