Black-Tailed Prairie Dog

Known for their sociable nature, black-tailed prairie dogs thrive in extensive underground communities known as townships.

One of the largest townships ever recorded was home to approximately 400 million individuals, spanning an area of twenty-five thousand square miles (65,000 sq km).

Townships are organized into wards, which are further divided into coteries or harems. These groups consist of one or more adult males, several females, and their young. Each coterie fiercely protects its territory, usually less than one acre (0.5 ha), from neighboring coteries.

As daytime herbivores, prairie dogs dedicate much of their time to foraging above ground in short- to mid-grass prairies.

They possess a diverse range of vocalizations, including distinct alarm calls to warn against threats from the sky and the ground.

In densely populated townships, they may eliminate up to half of the offspring of closely related individuals.

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 occurs from February to April; gestation lasts around 30 days, resulting in four or five (sometimes up to ten) offspring

Description: Features a cinnamon-buff coat with a lighter underside; large head and eyes; short ears; strong, short limbs; and a short tail with a black tip

Conservation Status: Lower Risk (Near Threatened)

Major Threat: Loss and deterioration of natural habitats

What Can I Do?: Check out the National Wildlife Federation for ways you can contribute to conservation efforts.