Jennifer G. Chipault Dean E. Biggins Travis M. Livieri Joshua J. Millspaugh David A. Eads 2010 <p><span>We describe observations of black-tailed prairie dogs (</span><i>Cynomys ludovicianus</i><span>) emerging aboveground at night, apparently in response to wild-born and captive-born black-footed ferrets (</span><i>Mustela nigripes</i><span>) 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 (</span><i>Cynomys leucurus</i><span>) 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.</span></p> application/pdf en Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum Nighttime aboveground movements by prairie dogs on colonies inhabited by black-footed ferrets article