Nighttime aboveground movements by prairie dogs on colonies inhabited by black-footed ferrets
Western North American Naturalist
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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.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Nighttime aboveground movements by prairie dogs on colonies inhabited by black-footed ferrets |
| Series title | Western North American Naturalist |
| Volume | 70 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 2010 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum |
| Contributing office(s) | Fort Collins Science Center |
| Description | Article 18; 5 p. |
| First page | 261 |
| Last page | 265 |