The Washington Post reports on a rat invasion that evidently came close to wiping out the National Zoo's prairie dog exhibit. It's accompanied by a photograph of two of the fattest prairie dogs I've ever seen. Remember that next time somebody tells you zoos are cruel.

Now, I've been living in Colorado for almost 6 years, and I can tell you that while easterners (as I was) think prairie dogs are cute, out here, there's not much to choose from between them and the rats.