The Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is the most common and widespread of the five prairie dogs species of genus Cynomys. Although they still occur throughout most of their historic range in the Great Plains, their distribution and abundance shrunk dramatically, and their colonies (“prairie dog towns”) occupy only ca. 2% of what had existed before European settlement.

The prairie dog is a keystone species (or "ecosystem engineer") in the North American grasslands. Their colonial nature, burrowing habits and herbivory create changes in vegetation composition and height, and contribute to landscape heterogeneity. Prairie dog towns are beneficial to wildlife, and many species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals relying on Black-tailed Prairie Dog colonies for nesting sites, shelter, and food, including the Black-footed Ferret, Swift Fox, Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia), and Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis).

 

		21515 Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area Texas, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
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		22831 Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Lubbock, Texas, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		22706 Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Amarillo, Texas, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
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		Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area Texas, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
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		22839 Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Lubbock, Texas, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		22714 Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Amarillo, Texas, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area Texas, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
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		22728 Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Amarillo, Texas, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		21438 Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area Texas, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		21435 Prairie dog town Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area Texas, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		22723 Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Amarillo, Texas, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved

 

 

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