A Keystone Species of the Great Plains
Redbud Park Prairie Dogs
The Redbud Park prairie dog town was a natural prairie dog town. The enclosed area was established in 1979 with Revenue Sharing Funds.
Vital Stats
Weight: 1.5-3 lbs.
Length with tail: 3-5"
Shoulder Height: 3-4"
Sexual Maturity: 1 year
Mating Season: March-April
Gestation Period: 28-32 days
No. of Young: 3-8, 5 avg.
Birth Interval: 1 year
Lifespan: 3-5 years in the wild
Prairie Dogs are the most social members of the Squirrel Family and are closely related to ground squirrels, chipmunks and marmots. There are five species of Prairie Dogs (genus
Cynomys):
Black-tailed Prairie Dog (
C. ludovicianus) occupies narrow bands of dry plains stretching from central Texans to Canada.
White-tailed Prairie Dog (
C. leucurus) inhabits Western US: Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana.
Gunnison's Prairie Dog (
C. gunnisoni) has a much shorter tail than other Prairie Dogs, and it is uniquely colored and centers around the Four Corners from 5000-11000 feet.
Mexican Prairie Dog (
C. mexicanus) is an endangered species with a limited distribution only within parts of Mexico.
Utah Prairie Dog (
C. parvidens) is the smallest of all Prairie Dogs and is most threatened.
Curious Prairie Dog Facts
Prairie Dogs are stout, burrowingrodents among the many varieties of ground squirrels.
Prairie Dog burrows are called "towns."
Most Prairie Dogs hibernate during the winter.
Settlers called them "dogs" and "sod poodles" because of their high-pitched, bark-like call.
As members of the genus
Cynomys (Greek for "mouse dog"), all 5 species of Prairie Dogs belong to the Squirrel family (
Sciuridae).
Prairie Dogs issue different sounds identifying various predators, which include hawks, owls, eagles, ravens, coyotes, badgers, ferrets and snakes.
At the turn of the century, as many as 5 billion Prairie Dogs occupied millions of acres of grass prairies across the West.
Why are prairie dogs important?
Aside from the argument that all life is precious, the prairie dogs is a recognized keystone (or integral) species of the short-grass prairie ecosystem. They contribute to the lives of other mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects of the prairie by providing habitat and food. Abandoned burrows are frequently used as homes by burrowing owls, white tailed rabbits, badgers, weasels, snakes, and even foxes. Prairie dogs' churning activities aerate the soil to allow for more water penetration, while their nitrogen-rich dung improves the quality of the soil and surrounding vegetation. As a prey base, the prairie dog supports a wide variety of species. The swift fox, the coyote, weasels, snakes, hawks, eagles and the endangered black-footed ferret are just a few of the predators who rely on prairie dogs for food.
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