Illustration of prairie dog
prairie dog
noun
: any of a genus (Cynomys) of gregarious burrowing rodents of the squirrel family chiefly of central and western U.S. plains
especially
: a black-tailed rodent (C. ludovicianus) that usually lives in extensive colonial burrows
Examples of prairie dog in a Sentence
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The two animals will often hunt together to catch prairie dogs or squirrels, since badgers can dig below ground and coyotes can lead the above-ground chase.
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Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2025
Investigators said one of the patients, an 18-year-old, likely became infected about six days before his first doctor’s visit when he was bitten by fleas while walking through a prairie dog colony in Navajo County, about 103 miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 July 2025
The death is unrelated to a recent die-off of prairie dogs in the area, which may also be plague-related.
—Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
The park’s geography is stunning, and its wildlife—buffaloes, wild horses and prairie dogs—is a joy to observe.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
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Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2025
Investigators said one of the patients, an 18-year-old, likely became infected about six days before his first doctor’s visit when he was bitten by fleas while walking through a prairie dog colony in Navajo County, about 103 miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 July 2025
The death is unrelated to a recent die-off of prairie dogs in the area, which may also be plague-related.
—Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
The park’s geography is stunning, and its wildlife—buffaloes, wild horses and prairie dogs—is a joy to observe.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prairie dog
Cite this Entry
“Prairie dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prairie%20dog. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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