Cynomys

/ˈsɪnəmɪs/ noun

Definition

A genus of rodents commonly known as prairie dogs, which are burrowing ground squirrels found in North American grasslands.

Etymology

From Greek 'cyno-' meaning dog and 'mys' meaning mouse or rodent; early colonists called them prairie dogs because of their barking vocalizations that resembled dog sounds.

Kelly Says

Prairie dogs actually talk to each other with different 'words' for different predators—their bark-like calls were so dog-like that English settlers gave the whole genus a canine name!

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