Prairie Dogs

Prairie dogs were both a nuisance and a blessing; they could be hunted for food, but their warrens often caused dangerous injuries to men and horses who weren't careful where they stepped.

Audubon, The quadrupeds of North America, New York,V.G. Audubon,1851-54, digitzed by the Biodiversity Heritage Library.

In 1804, millions of prairie dogs co-existed with other plants and animals on the Great Plains. Their colonies stretched from Canada to Mexico. These small animals make important contributions to the ecological health of the region. They are a keystone species within the prairie ecosystem, with an estimated 170 other species depending on prairie dog colonies for their own survival.

How do prairie dogs fill such a pivotal role in the Great Plains? They feed on the grasses immediately surrounding their colonies. Lewis noted this in his journal, remarking “as they are usually numerous they keep the grass and weeds within their district very closely graized [sic] and as clean as if it had been swept.” Bison feed on the new growth and nutritious forbs, like clovers and sunflowers, that remain after prairie dogs eat the taller grasses. Predators like eagles, foxes, and black-footed ferrets rely on prairie dogs for food. Prairie dog burrows also provide shelter for ferrets, coyotes, foxes, and burrowing owls.

Today, black-tailed prairie dog colonies cover just one percent of their historical range, and populations are a fraction of what they once were. Habitat loss from agricultural and urban development, disease, and pesticide use have all contributed to the population decline.

Focused efforts by Great Plains Indigenous groups have contributed to the reversal of this trend. For example, as part of a project to restore bison to the reservation, members of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe have emphasized creating healthy prairie dog habitat. Other sovereign nations have been leaders in prairie conservation and restoration. They continue to act as stewards of the prairie ecosystem they have tended since time immemorial.

About this article: This article is part of series called “Pivotal Places: Stories from the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.”