Fact Sheet
Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
Threats to Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs
Humans pose the greatest threat to prairie dogs, frequently poisoning and shooting the animals and often plowing or bulldozing entire colonies for cropland or development. Many ranchers dislike the animals because they eat grass that ranchers would rather have for their livestock. Sylvatic plague—an exotic disease that entered North America in 1900—is also threatening their survival.
More on Black-Tailed Prairie Dog: What Defenders is Doing to Help Black-tailed Prairie Dogs »
More on Black-Tailed Prairie Dog:
Fast Facts
Height: 12 inches (when standing upright).
Length: 12-15 inches (including a 2-3 inch tail).
Weight: 1-3 lbs.
Lifespan: 3-5 years in the wild; 8 years in captivity.
Range Map
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Fact Sheet
The endangered black-footed ferret is a member of the weasel family. It is the only ferret native to North America - the domestic ferret is a different species of European origin and has been domesticated for hundreds of years - and has a tan body with black legs and feet, a black tip on the tail and a black mask.
In the Magazine
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October 30, 2012 | 10.37 AM
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