On the southern East Side of the Wildlife
Loop in Custer State Park is Prairie Dog Town, I found it inhabited by black-tailed
prairie dogs and thirteen lined squirrels. The Black-tailed prairie dog is a very
interesting and unique animal that is great to photograph.
An adult is between 12 and 16 inches long and generally
weighs between 1.5 and 5 pounds with the male being slightly larger than the female. Its
body is a pale brown color, with a light underside and the outer edges of the tail are
black, hence the name. The prairie dog has short legs with large feet sporting
well-developed claws.
Prairie dogs are native to short-grass prairie habitats of
western North America where they play an important role in the prairie ecosystem. They
live in towns, much like us, indicating that they are social animals. The towns are often
divided into "wards" by the surrounding terrain irregularities and are generally
five to 10 acres in size. Although these wards are adjacent to one anther, movement among
wards is unusual. These wards are divided into several smaller social units, called
"coteries." A coterie is made up of one adult male and one to four adult females
plus any offspring less than two years old. The members of a coterie are very protective
of their territory and defend it from invasion by members of other coteries.
The individual coteries are made up of an elaborate system
of burrows. The entrances to these burrows are easily identified by the coned shaped
mounds of dirt around them. These mounts can vary from one to three feet in height and
from three to 10 feet in diameter and serve the prairie dog in many ways. They function as
a great lookout point for the prairie dog in times of danger, giving them unlimited
visibility in all direction. Also, they provide protection from rainwater entering the
burrow system and flooding them out. Due to the topography of the terrain they also
facilitate the flow of fresh air though the burrows due the entrances being at different
elevations.
Black-tailed prairie dogs exhibit an elaborate communication
system. Distinctive calls and a variety of body postures are utilized to tell others that
danger is near or has passed. Physical contact is also used as a method of communication.
Mouth-to-mouth contact is used to identify coterie members from strangers, and grooming
among coterie members is common. The "kissing" behavior is used to recognize
family members. When two prairie dogs meet they touch mouths, with their mouths open and
teeth bared. If they are not family members, they slowly creep towards each other on their
bellies until the "intruder" is driven off or leaves the area.
Many wildlife species associate with prairie dogs, so in
many ways a prairie dog town can be considered a biological paradise. Some species utilize
the prairie dogs burrow systems; others feed on them or require a similar habitat to
fulfill their needs. Owls, rabbits, small rodents and snakes make use of the prairie dogs
abandoned burrows.
Black-tailed prairie dog