As you'd expect, prairie dogs live in the prairie. They eat grass and plants and tend to live near rivers. For your school project, recreate the habitat of a prairie dog. Using an empty aquarium, build a small trough for water to represent a river. Recreate a prairie by spreading dirt along the bottom of the tank, mixing with sand. Dig up grass from outdoors and replant it inside the aquarium. Purchase stuffed prairie dogs, or make some out of construction paper using pictures found online or at the school library. Dig small holes representing a prairie dog's burrow.
Prairie dogs in Utah and Mexico are in danger of extinction, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The prairie dogs' main food sources are grass and plants, which have been overgrazed by cattle. Recreational shooting and poisoning are contribute to a decline in the number of prairie dogs. Create a project showing the causes of the decline in the prairie dog population. Suggest options for preserving the ecosystem of the species, such as setting land aside for a prairie dog community and having it monitored by local park rangers.
Organize a coloring book with pictures of prairie dogs. Students can draw pictures of this small creature either building homes or roaming around its habitat. Have students color in pictures and write a story that describes what is happening in the pictures. Stories should be educational and can be written as fiction or non-fiction. After the coloring books are completed, students can share them with fellow classmates.
Highlight skills in computer literacy when preparing a presentation focused around a "Day In the Life," using a PowerPoint program. Copy pictures of prairie dogs from online websites or scan photos from library books to use in the presentation. You can also use pictures of prairies, burrows or other habitats. Take photos of other meal sources for the prairie dog, such as grass, roots and leaves. Begin by showing the day starting, with families gathering food. After that, show other daily routines, such as burrowing an underground tunnel or evading predators.