Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.
Taxonomy |
Physical Characteristics |
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Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia — rodents Family: Sciuridae — prairie dogs, squirrels, chipmunks, marmots Genus: Cynomys Species: Cynomys ludovicianus (Ord, 1815) — black-tailed prairie dog, Arizona black-tailed prairie dog Sources: Cassola (2016), Koprowski et al. (2016) SynonymsArctomys ludoviciana, Cynomys ludocicianus arizonensis, Cynomys socialis (see complete listings in Hall 1981; Hoogland 1996, Cassola 2016, Koprowski et al. 2016) |
WeightAverage, males: 905 g (31.9 oz) (Koprowski et al. 2016) Body LengthAverage: 374 mm (14.7 in) (Koprowski et al. 2016) Tail LengthAverage, males: 87 mm (3.4 in) (Koprowski et al. 2016) General AppearanceStout body with short tail and broad head (Hoogland 1996). ColorationUpperbody buff to brown to cinnamon. Face can be paler. Underbody pale buff to white. Tail tip dark brown to black (Hall 1981; Koprowski et al. 2016). Whiskers and nails black (Hoogland 1996). |
Distribution & Status |
Behavior & Ecology |
RangeNative to North America: Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Primarily found in the Great Plains. Distribution extends from southern Canada and Montana, south to northeastern Sonora and northern Chihuahua in Mexico (Koford 1958; Trefry and Holroyd 2012; Cassola 2016). Isolated populations within historic range. Locally extirpated from southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and other local areas throughout its range (Hoogland 1996). HabitatOpen grasslands with low, relatively sparse vegetation (Koford 1958; Cassola 2016; Koprowski et al. 2016). Prefer compact, finer-grained soils but dig burrows in many kinds of soil. Sandy areas not preferred but sometimes occupied for colony expansion (Osborn 1942; Koford 1958; Cassola 2016). Often select habitat areas with past livestock, bison (Bison bison), and human disturbance (e.g., edges of urban areas, airport fields) (e.g., Osborn 1942; Knowles 1986; Licht and Sanchez 1993; Avila-Flores et al. 2010). Burrowing and grazing activities create genetically and morphologically distinct plant community patches (differing plant height, composition) in grassland landscapes (Whicker and Detling 1988). About 40% of historic habitat converted for agriculture (Cassola 2016). IUCN StatusLeast Concern (2016 assessment) (Cassola 2016) CITES AppendixNot listed (UNEP 2021) Other DesignationsNot listed as a U.S. endangered or threatened species (USFWS 2021). Populations in the WildMost abundant of North America’s 5 prairie dog species (Miller and Cully, Jr. 2001). Approximately 18 million (range: 2.6 to 33 million) individuals in the United States (estimate from the early 2000s) (USFWS 2004; Cassola 2016). Estimated that populations have been reduced to 2% of historic abundance (based on range occupancy) (Summers and Linder 1978; Whicker and Detling 1988; Miller et al. 1994). Threats to SurvivalDiseases, such as sylvatic (bubonic) plague (Reading et al. 1989; USFWS 2004; Eads and Biggins 2015; Roth 2019; Russell et al. 2019). Habitat loss and fragmentation due to agriculture and urbanization (Cheatheam 1977; Cassola 2016). Population control programs via poisoning and shooting (Koford 1958; Bruns Stockrahm and Seabloom 1988; Roemer and Forrest 1996; Vosburgh and Irby 1998; USFWS 2004). Climate change, drought, and harsh winters (e.g., King 1955; Facka et al. 2010; Avila-Flores et al. 2012; Grassel et al. 2016; Stephens et al. 2018). |
Activity PatternsDiurnal, though active at night when escaping predators. Forage for much of the day. Sit upright on haunches, sometimes on burrow mounds, to scan for predators and monitor nearby prairie dogs. Sleep in burrows at night (King 1955; Hoogland 1995; Eads et al. 2010b; Koprowski et al. 2016). Active throughout the year, except when in torpor during winter periods of prolonged cold (especially if minimal spring to summer precipitation) (Anthony and Foreman 1951; King 1955; Hoogland 1996; Lehmer et al. 2001; Koprowski et al. 2016; David A. Eads, personal communication, 2021). Social BehaviorHighly social. Live in multi-burrow colonies (towns) (e.g., Bailey 1905; King 1955; Koford 1958; Hoogland 1995). Colonies vary in size and density, and consist of territorial family groups (coteries); typically 2–26 individuals. A family group commonly consists of 1 adult male, 2–3 adult females, and 1–2 yearlings; some larger family groups have 2 adult males. Females in a family group are usually relatives (King 1955; Hoogland 1982; Hoogland and Foltz 1982; Hoogland 1995; Manno et al. 2007; Koprowski et al. 2016). Aggressive to individuals not part of the family group, as well as new neighbor groups (King 1955; Hoogland 1995; Manno et al. 2007; Koprowski et al. 2016). Also see Breeding and Parental Care. Historically, large colonies extended for miles and included thousands of individuals (Bailey 1905). CommunicationLarge vocal repertoire with 12 known sounds —territorial “jump-yips” and alarm calls are most common. “Jump-yip” given while standing on hindfeet and throwing front legs and head upward. Loud, repeating alarm calls given in response to raptors, snakes, and large mammals (King 1955; Koford 1958; Hoogland 1983; Hoogland 1995; Hoogland 1996; Koprowski et al. 2016; Wilson-Henjum et al. 2019). “Jump-yip” also given in response to snakes and American badgers (David A. Eads, personal communication, 2021). Males give mating call (Grady and Hoogland 1986). Family group behavior includes grooming, play, and mouth-to-mouth contact (aids recognition of individuals in the group) (King 1955; Koford 1958; Hoogland 1996). Stare, charge, chase, wrestle, flare tail hairs, chatter teeth, and give high-pitched whistle during territorial disputes (King 1955; Koford 1958; Hoogland 1995; Hoogland 1996). Mutual smelling also occurs during disputes (King 1955). MovementsTerritorial boundaries relatively stable over time. Many females live in natal coterie their entire lives, but disperse to new coteries when all close kin have disappeared. Males disperse from natal area during their first year. Adult males also commonly disperse for breeding (Hoogland 1982; Hoogland 1995; Hoogland 1996; Hoogland 2013). Movements between coteries is sometimes common (e.g., King 1955), but migration between colonies is rare due to high predation risk and aggression towards non-colony members (Koford 1958; Garrett and Franklin 1988; Hoogland 1995; Hoogland 1996). Diet and FeedingYoung grasses (e.g., buffalo grass, grama, wheatgrass), forb shoots, bulbs, cacti, woody shrubs, and other grassland plants. Diet changes seasonally in many regions (Kelso 1939; King 1955; Koford 1958; Summers and Linder 1978; Hoogland 1996; Koprowski et al. 2016). PredatorsAll ages: American badgers (Koford 1958; Eads and Biggins 2008; Eads et al. 2012), bobcats and coyotes (King 1955; Koford 1958; Licht 2010), long-tailed weasels (Hoogland 1995), black-footed ferrets (Eads et al. 2010a), bullsnakes and rattlesnakes, several species of raptors (Koford 1958; Hoogland 1996), and humans (Hoogland 1995). Occasionally red foxes, gray foxes, grizzly bears, and mountain lions. Young and juveniles: other prairie dogs (infanticide) (Anthony and Foreman 1951; Hoogland 1985; Hoogland 1995; Hoogland 1996) Locomotion“Waddling gait” (Koford 1958) Relationship with HumansPerceived by some ranchers to compete with livestock for forage (Roemer and Forrest 1996; Miller and Cully, Jr. 2001; Koprowski et al. 2016). Long history as a “pest species” (Hoogland 1995; Hoogland 1996). In the 1900s, widely shot and poisoned in efforts to eradicate prairie dogs from ranchlands. Also occasionally hunted for food (Koprowski et al. 2016). A keystone species (e.g., Miller et al. 1994) and ecosystem engineer (e.g., Whicker and Detling 1988). May promote livestock production by limiting woody plant growth in grasslands through grazing (Ponce-Guevara et al. 2016; Hale et al. 2020) and improve soil quality through burrowing (Koprowski et al. 2016). Sport hunting and poisoning continues in some areas (Cassola 2016; Koprowski et al. 2016). |
Reproduction & Development |
Additional Species Highlights |
Breeding and Parental CareHarem-polygamous mating system (Hoogland and Foltz 1982). Single breeding season lasts 2 to 3 weeks per year; individual females in estrus only 1 day (Anthony and Foreman 1951; Hoogland 1996; Koprowski et al. 2016). Southern populations generally thought to breed earlier than northern populations (Hoogland 1996; David A. Eads, personal communication, 2021). Mating occurs in underground burrows (Hoogland 1982; Hoogland and Foltz 1982; Hoogland 1995). Young born in nursery burrows packed with dry grass (King 1955; Hoogland 1995; Cassola 2016). Emerge at 38 to 50 days of age; weaned at this time (King 1955; Koford 1958; Hoogland 1985). Pregnant and lactating females vigorously defend young and nursery burrows (King 1955; Koford 1958; Hoogland 1983; Hoogland 1986; Hoogland 1996). Sexual MaturityAbout 2 years old. A small number of individuals breed their first year (King 1955; Bruns Stockrahm and Seabloom 1988; Hoogland 1995; USFWS 2004; Koprowski et al. 2016). GestationApproximately 35 days (Anthony and Foreman 1951; Hoogland 1985; Hoogland 1995; Hoogland 1996; Koprowski et al. 2016) Litter SizeAbout 3–4 (range: 1–6) young at first juvenile emergence (Hoogland and Foltz 1982; Hoogland 1995; Hoogland 1996; Cassola 2016; Koprowski et al. 2016). Reports of larger litter sizes of up to 8–10 young (Anthony and Foreman 1951; Koford 1958) likely reflect counts of litters pre-emergence (Hoogland 1995). Lifetime reproductive successAbout 4 young reach juvenile age per breeding female; about 7 young per breeding male (Hoogland 1995; Hoogland 1996). Interbirth Interval1 litter per year (Cassola 2016) Birth WeightAbout 15 g (0.53 oz) (Johnson 1927; Anthony and Foreman 1951; Hoogland 1996) Typical Life ExpectancyWild populations: typically 3–4 years (USFWS 2004) |
Feature Facts
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How to cite: Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Fact Sheet. c2021. San Diego (CA): San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance; [accessed YYYY Mmm dd]. http://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/black-tailed-prairie-dog.
(note: replace YYYY Mmm dd with date accessed, e.g., 2019 Dec 31)
Disclaimer: Although San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance makes every attempt to provide accurate information, some of the facts provided may become outdated or replaced by new research findings. Questions and comments may be addressed to library@sdzwa.org.
Thank you to Dr. David A. Eads for providing expert content review of this fact sheet.
Dr. Eads’ research interests include disease ecology, behavioral ecology and predator-prey relationships, with a particular focus on species conservation and North American grassland ecosystems. Dr. Eads began studying black-tailed prairie dogs in 2006 and has published numerous studies related to flea/plague management in prairie dog colonies, as well as prairie dog population biology, behavior, interspecies interactions and predators.
Dr. Eads earned a M.S. in Wildlife Sciences from the University of Missouri and Ph.D. in Ecology from Colorado State University. He is an ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Fort Collins Science Center in Colorado, USA.
View Dr. Eads’ USGS research profile and Google Scholar publications list.
The black-tailed prairie dog ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, with most populations located in the U.S. Great Plains.
Adapted from www.d-maps.com according to IUCN fact sheet. Click here or on map for detailed distribution (IUCN).
Prairie dogs are well known for their vigilance behavior.
They often sit upright on their haunches, on or near their burrow mounds, to scan for predators and monitor nearby prairie dogs.
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.
Mouth-to-mouth contact between prairie dogs helps family members recognize each other.
Black-tailed prairie dogs are highly social and live in multi-burrow colonies. They are territorial and show aggression to individuals outside their family group.
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.
In taller-grass prairies, black-tailed prairie dogs prune vegetration around their burrows, which makes it easier to spot predators.
Their grazing and burrowing activity shapes plant communities in grassland areas, helps rainwater penetrate the ground, reduces soil erosion, and opens up foraging areas for cattle.
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.
Because black-tailed prairie dogs live in large colonies, they are vulnerable to certain infectious diseases, such as sylvatic (bubonic) plague. This bacterial disease, which spreads by flea bites, can kill local populations quickly.
Conservation biologists monitor infection levels and treat wild prairie dog populations to prevent plague outbreaks.
The sylvatic plague bacterium spread to North America around 1900, when steamships from Asia carried flea-infested rats to the U.S. Pacific coast.
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.
