Nighttime Aboveground Movements by Prairie Dogs on Colonies Inhabited by Black-Footed Ferrets

David A. Eads; Jennifer G. Chipault; Dean E. Biggins; Travis M. Livieri; Joshua J. Millspaugh

doi:10.3398/064.070.0218

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1 July 2010 Nighttime Aboveground Movements by Prairie Dogs on Colonies Inhabited by Black-Footed Ferrets

David A. Eads, Jennifer G. Chipault, Dean E. Biggins, Travis M. Livieri, Joshua J. Millspaugh

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Western North American Naturalist, 70(2):261-265 (2010). https://doi.org/10.3398/064.070.0218

Abstract

We describe observations of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) emerging aboveground at night, apparently in response to wild-born and captive-born black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) in South Dakota and New Mexico, respectively, We also discuss other similar observations accumulated on black-tailed prairie dog colonies as well as observations of white-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys leucurus) making nighttime movements, apparently in response to pre-reintroduction ferrets in Wyoming. Our observations suggest that, in addition to documented daytime defenses against ferrets, prairie dogs reduce vulnerability to predation by ferrets by using evasive movements at night.

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David A. Eads, Jennifer G. Chipault, Dean E. Biggins, Travis M. Livieri, and Joshua J. Millspaugh "Nighttime Aboveground Movements by Prairie Dogs on Colonies Inhabited by Black-Footed Ferrets," Western North American Naturalist 70(2), 261-265, (1 July 2010). https://doi.org/10.3398/064.070.0218

Received: 12 March 2009; Accepted: 1 January 2010; Published: 1 July 2010

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