There is nothing more striking than the harshness of a winter prairie. As Char's article on prairie seeds points out, this is a fabulous time of year to contemplate the tremendous adaptations of the grasses and forbs. I suspect, though, as you are stomping around on the prairie, you will see signs of other prairie inhabitants, who are working hard to stay alive in the cold winter chill. Burrows, tunnels and mini-cities may be constructed totally out of view from the outside world, either under the thatch of the grasses or below the ground in the dirt. Burrowing mammals often have short, direction-less fur that enables them to move forward and backward within the tunnels.
Most prairie mammals have an excellent ability to move quickly when needed.
Plant fibers and seeds are a staple for many prairie residents including voles, mice, pocket gophers, and ground squirrels. Prairie grasses exist because of the combination of temperature and precipitation. Summers are noted for high temperature and less rainfall then that of the nearby deciduous forests. Animals that thrive on the prairie are those that have the ability to survive without generous access to water. Again, prairies are tough habitats in the middle of the day.