Chien de prairie à queue noire       Green : the borealie

Cynomys ludovicianus                  Red : actual distribution

Order: Rodentia

Family: Sciuridae

Diet: Principally herbivorous, feeding on forbs, but also eats a wide range of insects.

Reproduction: Sexually mature at 2 years. Mating occurs in mid-April. The 4-5 young are born in late May after a gestation period of 38 days, and are weaned after 7 weeks.

Longevity: Up to 8 years in the wild and 10 years in captivity.

Predators: Black-footed ferrets, American badgers, burrowing owls, western rattlesnakes, golden eagles, buzzards, coyotes, red fox and sometimes bobcats.

Status: Canadian population is protected but still of special concern.