At Home with the Prairie Dog

Prairie dogs are dubbed a keystone species for good reason. The burrows they dig for shelter and raising their families are used by dozens of other animals, from insects and spiders to rattlesnakes, salamanders, owls and more. The highly endangered black-footed ferret depends almost completely on prairie dogs for food, and may also live in their abandoned burrows. In addition, prairie dog activity makes the grass areas around their burrows especially nourishing for grazing animals like bison and pronghorn. With up to 150 species associated with prairie dogs, this keystone species plays a pivotal role in keeping the prairie healthy and thriving.