Series: Prairie Dogs of the American Southwest

Prairie dogs, occurring only in North America, are burrowing rodents belonging to the squirrel family. Prairie dogs are diurnal and live in colonies, or “towns,” which sometimes contain thousands of individuals and extend for miles.

• Article 1: Prairie Dogs of the Southwest - Introduction

  

  There are five species of prairie dogs—the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), white-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys leucurus), Gunnison’s prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni), Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens), and Mexican prairie dog (Cynomys mexicanus)—all of which may be considered rare. Read more

• Article 2: Prairie Dogs of the Southwest - Distribution

  

  The historic range of the black-tailed prairie dog extended to the east, north, and south of the combined ranges of the white-tailed, Gunnison’s, and Utah prairie dogs (Hoogland 2006a). Overlap in the ranges of the species is so small that location can be used to identify species. Mexican and black-tailed prairie dogs generally live at lower elevations than the other species. Read more

• Article 3: Prairie Dogs of the Southwest - Ecology

  

  Prairie dogs are an important component of the ecosystems they inhabit. They directly and indirectly influence grasslands through their grazing and burrowing and as prey. Read more

• Article 4: Prairie Dogs of the Southwest - Status

  

  The area once inhabited by prairie dogs has dramatically declined due to a number of factors, including intensive control programs, conversion of habitat to agriculture, disease (sylvatic plaugue), unregulated recreational shooting, and urbanization. Read more

• Article 5: Prairie Dogs of the Southwest - Management Activities

  

  Because prairie dogs are both an important component of the ecosystem and, in some cases, damaging to other resources within and adjacent to the parks, their management is important and complex. Read more

• Article 6: Prairie Dogs of the Southwest - References

  

  Prairie dog references are available for more information. Read more