The prairie dog, a rodent living in large underground colonies known as “towns,” plays a central role in the North American grassland ecosystem. They are considered a keystone species because their activities modify the environment in ways that benefit approximately 150 other animal species. Their colonial and abundant nature makes them a primary food source for a wide variety of predators across the plains. This constant threat has driven the evolution of their burrow systems and communication methods.
Aerial Hunters: Threats from Above
Prairie dogs rely on sentinels to scan the skies for danger. The Golden Eagle is one of the largest raptors to target prairie dogs, often using its size and speed to execute a surprise attack from a high altitude. These opportunistic hunters pursue and capture prey in a rapid, vertical dive.
The Ferruginous Hawk, the largest hawk species in North America, relies heavily on prairie dogs as a food source, particularly during the winter months. Unlike some other raptors, it often hunts from the ground or a low perch, using agility to strike quickly near burrow entrances. The Prairie Falcon also hunts prairie dogs, employing a high-speed, low-angle swoop to catch its prey near the ground before the rodent can retreat.
Terrestrial Stalkers on the Surface
The Coyote is a major surface predator, often seen stalking the periphery of a prairie dog town looking for an opportunity to chase down an exposed individual. Their hunting success is frequently hampered by the prairie dog’s advanced alarm call system, which sends the colony scrambling for safety.
Coyotes sometimes exhibit a cooperative hunting strategy with the American Badger. The badger, focused on digging out prey below ground, inadvertently flushes prairie dogs from interconnected burrows, which the waiting coyote then attempts to snatch above ground. This teamwork increases their overall hunting efficiency.
Smaller mammalian predators like the Bobcat and the Swift Fox also hunt on the surface.
Bobcat and Swift Fox
The Bobcat employs a solitary, silent ambush technique, often lying in wait near a burrow mound before lunging at an unsuspecting prairie dog.
In contrast, the Swift Fox, one of North America’s smallest canids, uses its impressive running speed—up to 31 miles per hour—to pursue prey. Swift foxes are primarily nocturnal but will hunt during the day, focusing on young prairie dogs to feed their pups.
Burrow Invaders: Specialized Underground Predators
The prairie dog’s primary defense, the burrow system, is vulnerable to specialized invaders. The American Badger possesses powerful forelimbs and long claws adapted for rapidly excavating the soil to reach its prey within the tunnels. The badger’s ability to destroy the underground structure makes it a constant threat that prairie dogs cannot easily escape.
The Black-footed Ferret is a specialist whose survival is linked to the prairie dog, which constitutes over 90% of its diet. This slender-bodied weasel actively navigates the narrow tunnels to hunt, often attacking the diurnal prairie dogs at night while they are asleep. Prairie dogs respond to the ferret’s presence by plugging burrow entrances with soil to seal the predator out or block its path.
Reptiles also enter the burrows, with Bullsnakes and Prairie Rattlesnakes preying heavily on young prairie dog pups in their nursery chambers. Bullsnakes, which are non-venomous constrictors, actively forage through the tunnels for a meal. Adult prairie dogs have evolved anti-snake behaviors, including vocalizing, foot-thumping the ground to create vibrations, and even “escorting” the snake away from the colony to protect their young.