Wildlife
Black-tailed prairie dogs are burrowing rodents that live on the North American grassy plains and prairies in a range that stretches from Canada to Mexico. Despite habitat loss and vilification by ranchers, these are still the most common and widespread of the prairie dogs. A very important prey species, their enormous colonies are attractive to predators looking for an easy meal. However, with constant look-outs posted on mounds these little creatures aren't easy to catch unawares. Black-tailed prairie dogs don't hibernate during the cold winter weather, unlike most other prairie dog species.
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Prairie farmers
Prairie dogs tend the plains around their towns and the bison share the bounty.
Prairie dogs tend the plains around their towns and the bison share the bounty.
Home defence
There's no safety in prairie dog burrows with rattlesnakes on the prowl.
There's no safety in prairie dog burrows with rattlesnakes on the prowl.
Summer bloom
The flowers of late summer provide a tasty treat for prairie dogs.
The flowers of late summer provide a tasty treat for prairie dogs.
Sophisticated engineers
Prairie dogs live in a series of complex burrows and underground chambers.
Prairie dogs live in a series of complex burrows and underground chambers.
Tasty snacks?
When danger gets too close, it's best not to draw too much attention to yourself.
When danger gets too close, it's best not to draw too much attention to yourself.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Black-tailed prairie dog can be found in a number of locations including: North America. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Black-tailed prairie dog distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Temperate grasslandDiscover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
Population trend: Decreasing
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), is a rodent of the family Sciuridae found in the Great Plains of North America from about the USA-Canada border to the USA-Mexico border. Unlike some other prairie dogs, these animals do not truly hibernate. The black-tailed prairie dog can be seen above ground in midwinter. A black-tailed prairie dog town in Texas was reported to cover 64,000 km2 (25,000 sq mi) and included 400,000,000 individuals. Prior to habitat destruction, this species was probably the most abundant prairie dog in central North America. This species was one of two described by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the journals and diaries of their expedition.
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Helpless young
Learning
Language
Predation defence
Colonial
Co-operative breeding
Hierarchical
Burrower
Acoustic communication
Herbivorous
Polygynandrous
Polygynous
Social
Territorial