Watch the gut-wrenching, heart-stopping moment a prairie dog defending his pups from being devoured by a deadly and hungry snake – will they survive?

Prairie dogs may have a reputation for being full of chatter and looking adorable, but their calls are actually an incredibly complex alarm system for their towns (and other animals) – and they’re much fiercer than they first seem.

Black-tailed prairie dogs are protected from predators such as birds of prey and coyotes while in their burrows.

However, they still face threats from the bullsnake. Although it isn’t venomous, the bullsnake is one of the largest snakes in North America and can reach up to 8ft.

And while this type of snake could easily constrict an adult prairie dog, it’s after the pups, slithering into burrows in search of them.

So, it’s up to the dad of the town to try and protect his pups from one of the prairie’s most persistent hunters – but will he succeed?