According to a group of biologists at the University of Manitoba, black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) test the alertness of their neighbors with contagious jump-yip display. The black-tailed prairie dog, Cynomys ludovicianus. Image credit: John & Karen Hollingsworth. Black-tailed prairie dogs are large, short-tailed burrowing rodents with eyes and small ears set far back on their heads. They measure up to 40 cm long and weigh as much...
