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Utah Prairie Dog
Cynomys parvidens
37.6317, -112.175
Field Notes
Description:
Prairie dogs occur only in North America. They are rodents within the squirrel family and include five species--the Utah prairie dog, the white-tailed prairie dog, the black-tailed prairie dog, the Gunnison prairie dog, and the Mexican prairie dog. The Utah prairie dog is currently listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened. The total length of an adult Utah prairie dog is approximately 12-14 inches, the weight of an individual ranges from 1 to 3 pounds. Utah prairie dogs range in color from cinnamon to clay, with dark markings above the eyes and white on the tip of the tail. Utah prairie dogs are diurnal, burrowing animals. Breeding usually takes place in March and young are born in April after a 30 day gestation period. Emergence of the pups usually occurs from mid to late May. The Utah prairie dog's diet is composed of flowers, seeds, grasses, leaves, and even insects.
Habitat:
Utah prairie dogs inhabit the mixed-grass, high elevation prairies of the Rocky mountains in southwestern Utah and are among the smallest members of the genus Cynomys. They are one of only two prairie dog species with federal protection, and estimates were below 1,500 individuals in the 1970’s. After widespread mortality from introduced plague in several major populations was hindered, censuses stood at about 4,000 individuals. Seldom publicized or seen in zoos, extermination occurred after the settlers of Utah labeled them as agricultural pests. Utah prairie dogs are assumed to have diverged from white-tailed prairie dogs, perhaps because of changes in climate and vegetation, as they are close relatives genetically.
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