By Faith

Physical Characteristics  Black-tailed prairie dogs are inches tall. Their tails are 2-3 inches long. They weigh 1- 3 pounds. They have black tails and eyes with brown fur. They have short legs and sharp claws.

Lifespan  They live 8 years in captivity, but only 3- 5 years in the wild.

Eating Habits and Diet  Black-tailed prairie dogs are herbivores. They eat grass sedges (a grass like plant), forbes (flowering plants), roots, seeds, and insects.

Population  There used to be hundreds of millions, but now there are around million black-tailed prairie dogs.

Habitat/Range They live in 10 U.S. states, 2 Mexican states, and one Canadian province. They live in deserts and plains. Their small, scattered colonies take up 1- 2 million acres.

Adaptations  Pitched warning barks  Camouflage  Strong back legs  This tells others that a predator is coming.  They are brown to blend in with their habitat.  Their back legs are very strong to help them stand tall to look over the grass.

Fun Facts  Most prairie dogs hibernate but black- tailed prairie dogs do not. They live in tunnels.

Endangered Because:  Black-tailed prairie dogs are endangered because of habitat destruction poisoning shooting, and exotic disease.

Defenders of the Wild