The black-tailed prairie dog is a social ground squirrel of North America’s grasslands. Its burrowing and grazing shape the prairie, making it a keystone species for many other animals.
Interesting facts
- Prairie dogs live in huge colonies called towns.
- Around 1900, one town in Texas was estimated to cover about 64,000 km² and hold 400 million prairie dogs.
- Their numbers have fallen by well over 90 percent since European settlement.
- The endangered black-footed ferret depends almost entirely on prairie dogs for food.
- In the ‘jump-yip’ display, one prairie dog leaps up and calls, and others join in like a wave.
- Prairie dogs ‘kiss’ and groom each other to recognise family members.
Behaviour
Prairie dogs live in family groups called coteries within larger towns. They are active by day, graze near their burrows and keep a constant watch for hawks, coyotes and badgers.
Breeding and young
Females give birth to three to five pups in underground nest chambers. The pups first emerge after about six weeks.
Threats and conservation
Habitat loss to farming and development, poisoning and shooting as pests, and sylvatic plague.
Where to see it
- Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
- Badlands National Park, South Dakota
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
- Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
