What makes the Mexican prairie dog an endangered animal?

            As the name suggests, Mexican prairie dogs are a species of prairie dogs found in Mexico. They mostly inhabit flat prairies, and valleys between mountains, at a height of 1600 to 2200 metres.

            Thought to be highly social rodents, Mexican prairie dogs belong to the same family as squirrels. They live in extensive burrow networks known as towns. Depending on the habitat, each town may have up to a hundred individuals! This species is active during the day throughout the year, and feeds on just grasses.

            However, one cannot see many of these individuals together anymore, as Mexican prairie dogs have become an endangered species. Habitat loss is the main reason for the decline in the number of Mexican prairie dogs. It is also hunted for food, and poisoned by locals, since the dogs are believed to destroy farms.

Picture credit: google