They attract mice, rabbits, birds, snakes, lizards, toads, salamanders, insects, and spiders. Several prairie dog families live in each colony. Each family, sometimes called a coterie, is made up of one or two males and two or three groups of related female prairie dogs and their young. The males protect these females, who keep strange females away. All of the adults help to feed and rear the pups.
Cooperation is also part of town life and helps the group to survive.
Prairie dogs often vocalize, using different sounds in different situations. The guards will bark a warning if they spy trespassers or predators, such as eagles, badgers, coyotes, or ferrets. When danger looms, prairie dogs scurry to their holes and jump in headfirst. After a predator leaves, they make other noises that mean it is safe to come out again. When not building their burrows and tunnels or watching for danger, prairie dogs enjoy a great deal of physical contact.