Color: Prairie dogs are generally sandy brown to cinnamon in color with grizzled black tips. Their belly is light cream to white.
Legs: 4
Shape: Prairie dogs have short, muscular legs and a short tail. Their bodies are covered in rather coarse hair with little fur underneath.
Size: Adult black-tailed prairie dogs are 14” to 17” (36 cm to 43 cm) long.
Antennae: No
Region: Great Plains
Prairie dogs are stocky, burrowing rodents that live in colonies called towns. French explorers called them “little dogs” because of the barking noise they often make. Today, about two million acres of prairie dog colonies, comprising five species, remain in North America. The most abundant and widely distributed of these is the black-tailed prairie dog, which is named for its black-tipped tail.
Black-tailed prairie dogs are most active in the summer months and spend their days foraging. This species does not truly hibernate during the colder months and can be seen above ground in midwinter. However, they may seek shelter underground for several days during severe winter conditions. In the spring and summer, black-tailed prairie dogs consume up to two pounds of green grasses. They also eat flowers, seeds, shoots, roots, and insects when available.
Prairie dogs rarely come into contact with humans; however, they can carry disease organisms, such as plague. In addition, rattlesnakes and black widow spiders are frequently found in prairie dog towns. Rattlesnakes often rest in burrows during the day, while black widow spiders form webs in abandoned prairie dog holes. Bites from both of these pests are rare, but can be a threat to human health. Prairie dogs also pose a threat to local vegetation and livestock due to their constant feeding.
The black-tailed prairie dog lives in densely populated colonies scattered across the Great Plains from northern Mexico to southern Canada. Occasionally, the species is found in the Rocky Mountains, but rarely above 8,000 feet. All prairie dog species prefer open vegetation like grasslands, although they do not tolerate tall vegetation well and avoid brush and timbered areas. In the Great Plains region, black-tailed prairie dogs often establish colonies near rivers and creeks.
Prairie dogs graze to provide a clear view of their surroundings and improve their ability to detect predators. The most effective way to prevent an influx is to install fences, hay bales, and other objects to reduce their visibility.
Prairie dogs have numerous predators, including coyotes, bobcats, eagles, hawks, foxes, badgers, and weasels. The black-footed ferret depends almost entirely on prairie dogs for food and even lives inside their burrows.
Not all prairie dog species are endangered, but the black-tailed prairie dog has seen a significant population decline due to habitat loss from agricultural conversion, widespread poisoning campaigns, recreational shooting, and sylvatic plague (caused by yersinia pestis), a non-native disease introduced around 1899.
Prairie dogs are herbivores. They primarily feed on grasses, seeds, leafy plants, and occasionally insects, with their diet varying seasonally. They obtain most of their water and nutrients from the plants they consume, spending daylight hours foraging close to their burrows for safety. Their grazing habits can significantly impact lawns and landscapes.