Because of their lifestyle and eating habits, prairie dogs have an important influence on the vegetation of the plains and their growth. Among their colonies, prairie dogs help germinate a large number of plants, some of which are most rare among the plains. As such, the vegetation in prairie dog areas is lower than in other areas. Because of this, other species, such as the America bison, prefer to eat among the prairie dog colonies. Another important role of prairie dogs within the eco – system is as the main prey of various types of snakes, predatory birds, and predatory mammals. Especially interesting is the black – footed ferret, which lives only among prairie dog colonies and feeds on prairie dog cubs. With the collapse of the prairie dog population, ferrets have also disappeared. A breeding initiative at zoos and a return to the wild program have saved the species from extinction, after almost complete extinction in the wild.
The gestational period for prairie dogs is roughly 35 days. The females birth 1 – 8 cubs, which are born with their eyes closed, and they are completely blind and helpless. After 40 days, the cubs are weaned and come out of the burrows for the first time. At this point, they already weigh 150 grams and are independent. They reach maturity at the age of two years, and their life-expectancy is about eight years.
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