Growing up in rural West Texas, I saw lots of prairie dogs and a few prairie dog “towns” where several families of these little rodents lived in a group. I am told the full name for this animal is the ‘black-tailed prairie dog,’ and I assume its tail is black.. I never observed that particular detail. I did notice if one dog sounded a barking alarm, all others darted into their holes.
Recent studies have shown prairie dogs are quite beneficial to areas they inhabit. That’s because new grass sprouts where they graze and that attracts cattle, which prefer to feed where the rodents have been at work. Prairie dogs graze continuously and create a favorable environment for healthy, green grass to grow back, rather than coarse brush and bushes. Also, their digging helps aerate hardpacked soil.
The holes where prairie dogs live provide shelter for burrowing owls, snakes and frogs. Also, hawks and golden eagles rely on prairie dogs as a food source. All in all, the black-tailed prairie dog has a most positive effect on the landscape. And the common worry that cattle or other animals will step in the hole and break a leg is unfounded. Animals easily sidestep the holes and these ecosystem engineers do a great job of keeping grasslands healthy and productive.
In closing, let me remind my faithful readers that a great birding festival is coming soon. The Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival is set for November 5-9 in Harlingen, Texas and will feature field trips, seminars, a trade show and more. For information, visit www.rgvbf.org.
