Students discover "life underground" during Rodent Week at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center. - USFWS Photo

Students discover "life underground" during Rodent Week at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center. - USFWS Photo

Over 700 elementary students participated in the Annual Rodent Week programs at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in February. Celebrating ground-hogs and other burrowing animals, this years event featured insects and arachnids that live underground, as well as perennial favorites such as 13 lined ground squirrels, pocket gophers and weasels!

Students from Fergus Falls, West Central Area Schools, Pelican Rapids and Dane Prairie participated - over 700 in two short, but full weeks.

Local businesses and volunteers helped construct a cardboard box "burrow" that students explored -armed with flashlights - and discovered over 20 pelts, numerous preserved insects, mounted animals and more. Students also participated in a short outdoor walk to identify snow crystals and mouse vents, as well as other signs of life on the -20 degree prairie.