DD Animal News – Once upon a time, the Central Grasslands of North America were wild, buzzing with life, and alive with the sounds of hooves, wings, and tiny paws. Millions of bison roamed freely, wolves howled across open plains, and prairie dogs popped up like popcorn across the prairies.
But today, that vibrant ecosystem has largely faded into memory. Now, researchers at Colorado State University are working to bring part of that magic back—starting with one of the ecosystem’s smallest but most important creatures: the black-tailed prairie dog.
Mapping a Future for the Prairie Dog
Researchers at CSU have identified priority conservation areas for the black-tailed prairie dog, stretching from Montana in the north all the way down to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. This furry little rodent might not look like much at first glance, but it plays a starring role in the health of North America’s grasslands. By protecting areas where prairie dog populations can thrive, researchers are also laying the groundwork to safeguard the entire Central Grasslands ecosystem.
“This prairie dog recovery effort is really about the ecosystem,” said Ana Davidson, CSU research scientist at the Colorado Natural Heritage Program and joint faculty member in the Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Department. “If we focus on prairie dogs, we get a big bang for our buck. We know we can reintroduce prairie dogs or protect them and see the ecosystem revitalized — foxes, eagles and rabbits will return to an area buzzing with birds and insects.”
Once a Continent-Wide Powerhouse
It’s hard to imagine today, but the Central Grasslands used to rival Africa’s Serengeti in terms of wildlife abundance. The plains were home to millions of bison, vast herds of pronghorn and elk, flocks of grassland birds, and top predators like grizzly bears and wolves. Prairie dogs were everywhere, forming vast colonies that stretched for miles and helped maintain the very soil beneath their feet.
But over time, things changed. Settlers pushed west. Grasslands were plowed for agriculture. Bison were hunted nearly to extinction. And prairie dogs—once numbering in the billions—were poisoned, shot, and displaced. Prairie dogs were also subject to a non-native disease that has had a continued effect on their populations.
Today, bison and prairie dog populations have declined by over 95%, wolves and grizzlies are nearly gone from the region, and grassland bird species have declined by 50%.
Prairie Dogs: Small Animal, Big Impact
Black-tailed prairie dogs are more than just cute critters with high-pitched chirps and an eye for trouble. They’re ecosystem engineers. Their burrows provide shelter for other species like burrowing owls. Their digging aerates the soil, which helps grasses grow and attracts various species of birds. And they serve as prey for animals like hawks, coyotes, and black-footed ferrets—one of the most endangered mammals in North America.
Without prairie dogs, the grasslands suffer. And when the grasslands suffer, so do all the animals (and people) that depend on them.
“Grasslands are understudied, underfunded and underappreciated, and they have an important story to be told,” said Davidson.
A New Chapter in Prairie Conservation
The CSU team hopes that by pinpointing the most critical areas for prairie dog conservation, they can help guide future efforts to restore this unique and endangered ecosystem. It’s a move that could also help bring back other species—from majestic bison to the songbirds that once filled the skies.
And while prairie dogs might be small, their role is mighty. By giving them the space they need to thrive, we may just find a way to bring the Central Grasslands back to life.
Because sometimes, saving a whole ecosystem starts with the smallest paws.
