Out on the prairie, wide and grand,
A pioneer mammal made a stand,
He burrowed deep into the ground,
And made a home where safety's found.

His habitat was made with care,
A cozy den with room to spare,
He knew that predators roamed around,
But he felt safe within his mound.

A mammal proud, strong, and bold,
He lived his life, free and uncontrolled,
And though the prairie was vast and wide,
He found his place, where he could thrive.

So let us all take a lesson true,
From this little mammal, brave and new,
Find a place where you can grow,
And burrow deep, to call your own.

Reflections

Here are a few questions to ask kids to think about "The Pioneer Mammal of the Prairie":

1. What kind of animal do you think the pioneer mammal was?
2. Why did the pioneer mammal burrow deep into the ground to make a home?
3. What are some of the dangers that the pioneer mammal might face living on the prairie?
4. What qualities did the pioneer mammal have that helped him to survive in his habitat?
5. How do you think the pioneer mammal's life might be different from the life of an animal that lives in the forest or the desert?