Sand Cat vs. Prairie Dog
It was a hot and sunny day in the New Mexico desert. Desert grass covers the ground with the occasional vibrant green cactus. Dirt and sand fly through the air as a light breeze passes by. As you scan across the desert you can see groups of coteries (a group of Prairie dogs). They are just beginning to surface for the day. They look around the desert tensely to make sure no predators are around, then they start to scavenge for food like insects, plants, and seeds. They also look for water that will allow prairie dogs to be satisfied.
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As the sun begins to set, the prairie dogs head home. The Prairie Dogs are no longer hungry or thirsty, though they bring back food to the pups (baby prairie dogs). The pups stay behind to build their strength and learn the ways of a prairie dog. The pups will only stay behind with the mother for another six weeks until they are ready to be brought above. Soon all the prairie dogs are all nestled into their burrow and fall asleep.
Nearby is a plateau where a group of Sand Cats is beginning to stir. The Sand Cats will soon begin their nightly hunt for food. They claw their way through an animal burrow and emerge from the tunnel. The Sand Cats stretch and knead on trees to sharpen their claws for their hunt. These precious Sand Cats have multiple talents like the ability to run 19 to 25 miles every hour, the ability to climb trees and attack poisonous snakes. Tonight was going to be a big night for the Sand Cats. Their stomachs were growling and their bodies were burning with excitement and energy. The group of Sand Cats slowly begin crouching low to the ground sniffing and listening. The Sand Cats have an amazing sense of hearing because the pinnae which are an outside component of the animal's ear, as well as a bone structure in the animals head is larger than an average animal. This allows the Sand Cats to be able to hear breathing or movement underneath the ground. As the Sand Cats make their way across the desert they begin to hear small heartbeats. The Sand Cats begin digging quickly into the dirt. Each paw pushing the excess dirt up into the air out of the way. They reach 20 feet down and there they see a group of Prairie Dogs.
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The sleeping Prairie Dogs suddenly jerk awake, a moment of panic before all the Prairie Dogs scatter together. Sounds of chirping and barking fill the tunnels as they alert the rest of the colony of the predator invading their home. There are at least six burrows that lead out of the tunnels below when the Prairie Dogs build their home. While mothers collect their babies to go deeper into the tunnels, the rest of the Prairie Dogs come together to defend their home. Some Prairie Dogs start to attack the predator while the other get out of the burrow to sneak up on it. The Sand Cat is surrounded by nipping, biting, and scratching of the Prairie Dogs, the Sand Cat retracts its claws, swiping at its prey. Sometimes the claws scratch its prey and other times it misses. With the ongoing attacks continuing, the Sand Cat gives up. Leaving the town of Prairie Dogs, he goes in search of another meal. Meanwhile, the Prairie Dogs, go back into their burrow safe and sound and always ready to protect their home.