Mammals
Prairie dog
Cynomys
The prairie dog is not a dog but a rodent in the squirrel family, named for its bark-like alarm call. It lives in vast underground colonies that shape the entire prairie.
In short
The prairie dog (Cynomys) is a species with IUCN conservation status LC (Least concern). It digs tunnel systems that can host thousands of animals, the so-called "towns". Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: request the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the prairie dog live?
It digs tunnel systems that can host thousands of animals, the so-called "towns". It is a keystone species: its burrows and grazing maintain the prairie and provide shelter and food to many other animals, from the black-footed ferret to birds of prey.
Is the prairie dog endangered?
The IUCN Red List rates it Least Concern (LC) with a stable population, but its range has shrunk dramatically compared with the past due to farmland conversion, culling as a "pest", and sylvatic plague.
Facts about the prairie dog
- It is a keystone species on which dozens of other prairie animals depend.
- It has one of the most complex alarm-call systems in the animal kingdom.
- Its underground colonies can number thousands of individuals.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Cynomys (Least Concern)
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.