Prairie dogs occupy an estimated 130,000 acres of rangeland in Kansas. This is about 1 percent of suitable habitat, leaving ample room for prairie dogs to increase in Kansas.

Since 1900, prairie dog populations have been reduced by increased cultivation of rangelands, organized control programs, and improved rangeland management. Kansas prairie dog populations have stabilized in recent years, but during drought numbers tend to increase.

Black-tailed prairie dogs are large burrowing ground squirrels found in the western two-thirds of Kansas. Weighing 1 to 3 pounds and measuring 14 to 17 inches long, prairie dogs have reddish-tan fur, large eyes, small ears, a broad head and a black tip on the end of a hairy tail. Five species exist in North America, but only the black-tailed prairie dog is found in Kansas.

Prairie Dog Facts

• Prairie dogs bark like dogs. The name prairie dog came from their warning barks, which early settlers compared to the bark of a dog.

• Burrows provide shelter for many animals. The black-footed ferret, one of the most endangered mammals in North America, feeds almost exclusively on prairie dogs.

• Prairie dogs rarely drink water. They obtain all the moisture they need from their foods. Their numbers increase during drought years

Prairie dogs are highly social and live in what are called “coteries.” Coteries are close-knit groups of prairie dogs that live within the same burrow. This is where prairie dogs raise their young. Several coteries make up a neighborhood and many neighborhoods grouped together make up a prairie dog town or colony. Coteries usually consist of one adult male, three adult females, and six offspring. Members of these small groups may display territorial behavior toward adjacent groups in the town. Prairie dogs are active during the day. They may stay below ground for several days during cloudy and cold winter weather, but they are not true hibernators.

Prairie dogs build underground homes or burrows. Burrows are approximately 10 yards apart, 3-14 feet deep, and anywhere from 10-100 feet long or more. A crater-like mound 3-10 feet across at the burrow entrance serves as a lookout station and prevents water from rushing in. Most burrow systems have one entrance, but some have two or even three.

Most black-tailed prairie dogs mate for the first time as two- year-olds, with females producing one litter of 3-8 young after 28-34 days gestation. Young are born from March through April, but only about three or four survive to come above ground. Those that make it, venture out at 5-6 weeks of age, usually by early May.

Prairie dog densities increase from about five per acre in late winter to 20 per acre after young are born, but densities of up to 35 per acre have been reported. Females remain in their coterie for life, but yearling males disperse up to 3 miles in late spring. Prairie dogs can expand the area they occupy by up to 50 percent per year and consume the same forage as livestock, which is why landowners want to manage populations.

If landowners have any prairie dogs on their property and wish to control them, one of the most effective methods is using products applied underground from Oct. 1 to March 15, with no prebaiting required. These restricted use products are labeled for hand or mechanical bait placement. 

If you need further information contact your local county or district Extension Office or refer to the publication “Prairie Dog Management”, MF2702 in the K-State Research & Extension bookstore https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu.

Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Cottonwood Extension District. Email him at scampbel@ksu.edu or call the Hays office, 785-628-9430.