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Photo by Lynn Chamberlain
Photo Copyright Lynn Chamberlain
Utah Prairie Dog
Cynomys parvidens
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2
State (S-rank): S2
External links
Species range
This species is endemic to Utah, where it currently occurs in parts of 7 counties in the southwestern part of the state. Interestingly, the species is not found anywhere else in the world, making it the only non-fish vertebrate found only in Utah.
Habitat
Collier (1975) found that several habitat factors were important for this species: elevation below 9,000 ft, the availability of water in addition to precipitation, heterogeneity of plant community, less than 10% of the vegetative cover composed of "tall" (12 in. or 31 cm) vegetation, and non-alkaline soils.
Discussing this species, Crocker-Bedford and Spillett (n.d.) stated that historically "[p]rime habitat would have been below 2,200 m in elevation and would have had much cool season palatable forage. . . . [M]ost Utah prairie dogs now inhabit either densely populated colonies which have alfalfa, or sparsely populated colonies on high plateaus. Permanent Utah prairie[-] dog colonies always are associated with areas that provide moist vegetation throughout the summer. . . . The nutritious, succulent plants found in such areas are crucial for Utah prairie[-]dogs: colonies without such vegetation are decimated by drought, and higher moisture content in the vegetation allows greater population density . . .."
Durrant (1952) mentioned elevations for only three localities at which this species has been collected, the range being 4,875 to 7,200 ft, which may be typical.
Ecology
Similar to other prairie dogs species, Utah prairie dogs form colonies and spend much of their time in underground burrows, often hibernating during the winter. This species prefers topographical swales, where moist herbaceous vegetation is available even during drought periods. Grasses and forbs are preferred food items during all seasons, and prairie dogs appear to forage selectively rather than choosing foods in proportion to their availability. Vegetation quality and quantity are important in helping prairie dogs survive hibernation, lactation, and other high nutrient demand times. Plant species richness correlates with increased weight gain, higher juvenile to adult ratios, and higher animal densities. Utah prairie dogs will avoid areas where brushy species dominate, and will eventually decline or disappear in areas invaded by brush. Open habitats are important for foraging, visual surveillance to escape predators, and intraspecific interactions. Prairie dogs need well-drained soils with depths over three feet, for burrowing. Burrows provide the prairie dog with protection from predators and insulation from environmental extremes. The Utah prairie dog's diet is composed of flowers, seeds, grasses, leaves, shrubs, and even insects.
Threats or limiting factors
Sylvatic plague occurs across the entire range of Utah prairie dog, and is a primary threat to the species’ survival and conservation. The disease has the potential to cause complete colony collapses or severe reduction in colonies across the landscape (epizootics), and to create chronic problems that could limit growth rates of Utah prairie dog populations (enzootics). Management tools, including the development of a vaccine and dusting burrows with insecticides, continue to evolve to address plague. Other threats include drought and urban development.
