Black-tailed Prairie Dogオグロプレーリードッグ

Species Data

Classification

Rodentia / Sciuridae Source

Distribution

Black-tailed prairie dogs are native to the Great Plains of North America, historically ranging from Saskatchewan and Alberta in Canada to Chihuahua, Mexico. Source

Did You Know?

• Black-tailed prairie dogs live in family units called 'coteries,' typically one male with several females and their offspring, and dig extensive underground tunnel systems. Source
• Their alarm calls, which sound like dog-like barks, encode specific information about the type, size, and approach speed of a predator, according to research. Source
• A historic prairie dog 'town' in Texas reportedly covered about 25,000 square miles and held an estimated 400 million individuals. As a keystone species, hundreds of other vertebrate and invertebrate species depend on prairie dog colonies for food and shelter. Source

FAQ

How big can a prairie dog town get?

Historically enormous — one reported colony in Texas covered roughly 25,000 square miles and was estimated to hold about 400 million prairie dogs. Source

Do prairie dogs really 'talk' to each other?

Their alarm calls are remarkably sophisticated, encoding specific information about a predator's type, size, and how fast it is approaching. Source

Why are prairie dogs considered a keystone species?

Their burrow systems and grazing shape the grassland ecosystem, and hundreds of other vertebrate and invertebrate species rely on prairie dog colonies for food, nesting, and shelter. Source