Chuck Ripper: Mexican Prairie Dogs

Artist: Chuck Ripper
1929 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1993
Image Size: 12.25 by 14.5 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 17.75 inches
Medium: Gouche Water Color on Masonite

Like others of its kind, the sociable Mexican Prairie Dog lives in large colonies in fertile grassland districts. Its behavior, too, is similar to the four species of prairie dogs found in the United States. Standing upright, they bark sharply at the first sign of danger, sending the entire colony into its underground burrows for safety. But unlike the more common species of prairie dogs found in America's western states, the Mexican Prairie Dog population is dwindling. The primary culprit, however, isn't the eagles, hawks, badgers and coyotes which normally prey on the remarkable rodents. Instead it is human agriculture that's threatening the Mexican Prairie Dog. Because the Prairie Dogs feed on grasses and other plants commonly eaten by domestic animals, some angry farmers have in the past made systematic attempts to exterminate them. But the loss of this species would indeed be tragic, for if they were to become extinct, a substantial source of food for their predators would disappear. In addition, the rodents' beneficial effects on the environment -- soil aeration and enhanced water percolation which permit improved plant growth -- would be lost as well.

This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover of the United Nations Endangered Species Series F.s. 0,80 Mexican Prairie Dog stamp issued March 18, 1994.

Artwork Copyright © 1993 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB14619

US$ Price: $2,700.00

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