What is an example of altruism among prairie dogs?

An example of altruism among prairie dogs is the behavior of giving up foraging to watch for predators. This behavior illustrates altruism because the prairie dog sacrificing its own chance to gather food is actively helping the group by providing a lookout. This type of vigilance benefits the whole colony, as it enhances the survival chances of others by alerting them to the presence of predators. Such selfless acts, where an individual prioritizes the safety of others over its own immediate needs, exemplify altruistic behavior in a social species. By having individuals engage in sentinel behavior, prairie dogs increase the collective security of their community, reinforcing the idea of cooperation and mutual benefit in the context of evolution.