Details
Cynomys ludovicianus
The black-tailed prairie dog is a diurnal ground squirrel of North American grasslands. It combines burrow systems, sentry behavior, and colony living in open country.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It lives mainly in shortgrass prairie and other open grasslands where visibility is high. Its burrows provide shelter from weather and predators.
Body length is about 35-43 cm and weight about 700-1,500 g. It has a compact body, short tail, strong digging forefeet, and a dark-tipped tail.
Active by day, it uses lookouts and alarm calls within a colony. Family groups occupy neighboring burrow entrances and feed close to cover.
It is herbivorous, feeding on grasses, leaves, seeds, and other low vegetation. Foraging takes place above ground, usually with frequent scanning.
Young are born and raised underground in protected nest chambers. As they mature, they may remain nearby or disperse to adjacent burrow systems.
Its status is listed as Least Concern, but local colonies can be affected by grassland conversion and control programs. Its burrows support many other prairie animals.
