Everybody was jump yip barking… Prairie dogs may look like rotund chicken nuggets without a care in the happy meal pail, but in reality they can be rather feisty chicken nuggets not afraid to jump, yip, and take you down a notch. They do have sharp claws and teeth. But what’s a jump yip? Jump yips are used to alert other members of the prairie dog colony to potential threats or dangers in the vicinity. By emitting a high-pitched vocalization while jumping up in the air, prairie dogs can quickly make a scene and communicate to their group that there is a predator or other danger nearby, prompting others to seek cover or be on high alert. Video: A prairie dog watching intently that is interspersed with still images of jump yips in the wild. #kungfu #prairiedog #nature #nationalparks #jump