Whitetail Prairie Dog 
Found in upland meadows and brushy country with scattered junipers and pines, at altitudes of 5,000 - 12,000 ft. Ranges farther west than the Blacktail, into Wyoming, Utah, Arizonam western Colorado, and western New Mexico. Growing to 14in., it has a white tip tail that is shorter than the Blacktail.
 

The westernplains at one time swarmed with billions of these chunky, broad-headed squirrels. Both species have very short hairy tails; short legs; and strong claws.  These social animals live in "towns" and post sentinels to warn the colony of incoming coyoters, badgers, ferrets, snakes, and birds of prey. They bark (like a dog) and bob up and down in excitement before retreating below.  Their underground villages can be 16ft. deep and can extend another 20ft. on the level, with side chambers for storage and nesting and with escape tunnels.  Prairie dogs feed on grasses, roots, and blossoms.  In the past, ranchers have shot, poisoned, trapped, and gassed them to keep them from making new burrows, fearing that livestock would break a leg in the prairie dogs' entrance holes.  Grain farmers of today have eliminated most of the rest.  Those that survive are found in parks and other uncultivated areas.