Black-tailed Prairie Dog – Give Out A Shout

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Give Out A Shout

Up on hindquarters you give out a shout,
so what could this antic be all about?

Are you telling your fellows 'you better pay heed'
for there lurks in the nearby a danger indeed?

Or is it you warning those of like kind,
'this piece of property's certainly mine'?

Could it be simply your caper's a quip,
a 'contact' with others, a friendly jump yip?

Scientists believe there may be multiple meanings attached to this highly social rodents’ behavior known as the jump yip.

~Anecdote, poem and Black-tailed Prairie Dog capture, Give Out A Shout © Jerry L. Ferrara