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Project Noah Nature School
Cynomys ludovicianus
On average, these stout-bodied rodents will grow to be between 30 and 40 cm long, including the short tail, and weigh between 0.5 and 1.5 kilograms.
Southwick Zoo
Spotted on Jun 7, 2014
Submitted on Jun 14, 2014
3 Comments
Thank you!
Congrats! This spotting is being featured as a PN Fun Fact!
Project Noah Fun Fact: Far from being the pest species many ranchers consider them, the black-tailed prairie dog is a keystone species that is important to their ecosystem. This member of the rodent family, is a colony dweller that digs a burrow system that provides shelter for many other creatures than just themselves. They are very social animals and have complex vocalizations. They are also the primary food for the endangered black-footed ferret. Bison, pronghorn, domestic cattle and horses prefer to graze the short, prairie dog fertilized vegetation around a colony.
you got very close christine! great job!