| Class: |
Mammalia
|
|
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| Order: | Carnivora | |||
| Family: | Mustelidae, weasel family (long slender bodies, short legs) include skunks, mink, otter, weasel, martens, badger, wolverine. | |||
| Genus: | Mustela | |||
| Species: | nigripes | |||
| Name/ History: |
Came close to extinction in the 1970s because of the poisoning of prairie dog towns. They are in a captive-breeding program and were reintroduced to Badlands National Park in 1994. Wind Cave National Park has been considered as one of many sites for reintroduction. | |||
| Size: |
Male
|
Female
|
Young
|
|
| Weight (lbs) |
2
|
1.5
|
||
| Height (in) |
15-18
|
|||
| Tail (in) |
5-6
|
|||
| Mate: | Spring | |||
| Gestation: | 41 days | |||
| Birth: | June | |||
| # young: | 3-5 | |||
| Age: | Unknown | |||
| Habitat/ Range: |
Prairies/prairie dog range. In the past, southern Canada to Texas. | |||
| Food: | Prairie dogs (90% of diet) | |||
| Enemies: | Man, badgers, coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes, eagles, owls, hawks | |||
| Disease: | Canine distemper , tularemia | |||
| Communication: | Chattering when excited. | |||
| Behavior/ Characteristics: |
Mostly nocturnal. | |||
