What's So Great About Prairie Dogs?

The prairie dog ecosystem is the center for an amazing array of plants and animals. From black-footed ferrets to tiger salamanders, studies have found that prairie dog towns host more species than do adjoining grasslands without prairie dogs. Prairie dogs are beneficial to associated wildlife species as the cultivator of diverse vegetation and disturbed soils; a creator of shelter; and as a food source.

Some animals are so intricately associated with prairie dogs that the decline of the prairie dog seems to be causing the decline of those species as well. For example, the numbers of ferruginous hawks, burrowing owls, swift fox, and mountain plovers have all declined as prairie dog populations have dramatically decreased over the years. Perhaps the most well-known and certainly the most endangered species associated with prairie dogs is the black-footed ferret, which can not survive withoutprairie dogs.

Vegetation

Prairie dog grazing maintains plants in an early vegetative, and thus more nutritious state, by preventing the roughness and decline in nutrition which normally develops as plants age. The rapid plant growth and recycling of energy that comes with constant clipping also encourages the amount and diversity of vegetation. In addition to the numerous small prey species that are attracted to prairie dog towns because of the diverse
Black-footed ferrets: ©Louise Forrestvegetation, grazers such as bison, pronghorn and elk all benefit from the especially nutritious perennial grasses and forbs.

Shelter

Prairie dogs excavate burrows which generally reach six to 14 feet deep and run about 15 feet long, with small chambers just below the surface where they can sit and listen for above ground activity. In the process of digging their burrows, they provide shelter for many other animals. Black-footed ferrets live in active prairie dog holes, and many more, like the burrowing owl, deer mice, tiger salamanders, and short-horned lizards, live or take shelter in abandoned prairie dog holes.

Food

These same species also thrive on the abundant food supply found in the towns: deer mice and rabbits thrive on the nutritious plants; toads, salamanders and lizards all prey on one or more of the insects,worms and spiders living on prairie dog towns; and rattlesnakes feed on mice, rabbits and even prairie dogs themselves. Others are drawn to the towns by the promise of a prairie dog meal. Black-footed ferrets feed on prairie dogs almost exclusively. Many other predators, including coyotes, badgers, ferruginous hawks and golden eagles, also eat prairie dogs.