Cynomys ludovicianus ludovicianus

(Ord, 1815)

Vernacular names
English : Black-tailed prairie-dog
French : Chien de prairie à queue noire

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Rodentia
Family : Sciuridae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification
Body length of 43 cm, tail length of 10.7 cm, weight of 1360 g. Fairly stocky body. Powerful claws on forelimbs. Fur coloration is usually tan to light beige. Very clear to white belly, tail has a conspicuous black tip.

Range and habitat
The subspecies occurs in western-central North America, from south Canada (Saskatchewan) to Texas. Species also found from Arizona, to northern Chihuahua in Mexico. Lives in dry open grasslands with low and sparse vegetation.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : This species has a large range and remains very numerous, to locally abundant. Local declines noted because of hunting and habitat loss.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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