Black-tailed Prairie Dog
Cynomus ludovicianus
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Range: Central USA, Canada, Mexico
Habitat: prairie/grassland, desert
Size: About 12" long; 1-3 pounds
Diet in the Wild: Grasses, roots, seeds
Diet in the Zoo: Formulated grain, hay, vegetables
Lifespan: 3-5 years in the wild; 8+ years in human care
Built for burrowing, these highly social rodents excavate elaborate underground tunnel systems, akin to human towns complete with dedicated chambers for sleeping, eliminating waste, and rearing young. Prairie dogs significantly alter the landscape by grazing, making them a nuisance to farmers and ranchers.
Fun facts!
- The largest prairie dog colony on record sprawled 25,000 square miles (roughly the size of West Virginia!) and was home to an estimated 400 million animals.
- Research suggest prairie dogs possess a sophisticated language that not only includes specific calls to indicated different types of predators, but also uses inflection to convey descriptive information!