Black-Tailed Prairie Dog

Quck answer

The Black-Tailed Prairie Dog is a small, burrowing rodent that lives in the grasslands of North America. They are highly social animals that live in large colonies, or “towns”, with complex communication systems. These animals play a vital role in their ecosystem, as they create grazing areas for bison and other herbivores, and their burrows provide shelter for a variety of other animals. Despite their importance, their populations have declined due to habitat loss and disease. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these fascinating creatures and their ecosystems.

Wild Animals

Black-tailed prairie dogs are highly social animals that live in large underground colonies called townships. The largest township ever reported contained around 400 million residents and extended over an area of 65,000 square kilometers. Within these townships, there are wards that are further divided into coteries or harems made up of adult males, females, and juveniles. These coteries protect their territory, which is usually less than half a hectare in size, from other coteries.

These diurnal herbivores spend most of their time above ground, searching for food in short-to-mid-grass prairies. They communicate with each other using a range of calls, including specific alarm calls for aerial and terrestrial predators. However, when township density is high, they may kill up to half of the young of close genetic relatives.

Animal Facts

Name: Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)

Family: Sciuridae (Squirrels)

Range: Saskatchewan, central United States, and northern Mexico

Habitat: Prairie

Diet: Leaves, stems, grass roots, weeds, forbs, and insects

Head and Body Length: 11 to 13 inches (28 to 32 cm)

Tail Length: 3 to 4 inches (8.5 to 9.5 cm)

Weight: 2 to 3 pounds (0.9 to 1.3 kg)

Life Cycle: Mating February to April; gestation about 30 days, four or five (may be up to ten) young born

Description: Cinnamon-buff coat; pale underneath; large head; large eyes; short ears; short, powerful limbs; short, black-tipped tail

Conservation Status: Lower Risk (Near Threatened)

Major Threat: Habitat loss and degradation

What Can I Do?: Visit the National Wildlife Federation for information on how you can help.

FAQ

1. What is a black-tailed prairie dog?

A black-tailed prairie dog is a small rodent that belongs to the squirrel family. Their name comes from the black tip on their tail and their habitat, which is the prairies of North America.

2. What do black-tailed prairie dogs eat?

Black-tailed prairie dogs are herbivores and mostly eat grasses, seeds, and forbs. They also sometimes eat insects, but they are not a significant part of their diet.

3. How do black-tailed prairie dogs communicate?

Black-tailed prairie dogs communicate through a system of vocalizations and body movements. They have different calls for different predators and can even communicate the size and shape of the predator to their group.

4. Why are black-tailed prairie dogs important?

Black-tailed prairie dogs are important to their ecosystem as they are a keystone species. They create and maintain their habitat by digging burrows that provide shelter and food for other animals. They also help to recycle nutrients in the soil through their burrowing and grazing activities.

5. How long do black-tailed prairie dogs live?

Black-tailed prairie dogs have a relatively short lifespan of 3-5 years in the wild.

6. How do black-tailed prairie dogs defend themselves?

Black-tailed prairie dogs defend themselves by giving alarm calls and retreating to their burrows. They also have sharp teeth and can bite predators if necessary.

7. How do black-tailed prairie dogs reproduce?

Black-tailed prairie dogs mate in the spring, and females give birth to litters of 3-8 pups after a gestation period of around 30 days. The pups are born blind and hairless and are dependent on their mother for several weeks.

8. Are black-tailed prairie dogs endangered?

Black-tailed prairie dogs are not currently considered endangered, but their populations have declined due to habitat loss and hunting. They are listed as a species of least concern by the IUCN.

9. Can black-tailed prairie dogs be kept as pets?

Black-tailed prairie dogs can be kept as pets, but it is not recommended. They are social animals that require a lot of space and social interaction with other prairie dogs. They also have specific dietary and environmental needs that can be difficult to meet in a home setting.