Lords of the underground

Prairie dogs attract visitors to West Texas

Billy Close, staff writer

 

If you have been to West Texas or the Texas Panhandle chances are you have seen the cute and cuddle prairie dog.

They can be viewed in pet stores, zoos, state parks, or even along side the highway as you venture from town to town. From the roadway you can see mound after mound of dirt resembling small volcanoes. The term “prairie dog” is actually a misnomer, as they have no relation to the canine species. Though they resemble a small fat pup and make a sound that resembles a bark, they are actually a ground squirrel and, therefore, a member of the rodent family.

The black-tailed prairie dog is one of five prairie dog species, all found only in North America. This species is the most abundant, widely distributed, and the one we are all more familiar with. They are tan in color with a lighter coloring on their belly. They also have a short tail tipped with black, and short ears. An average adult will weigh about two pounds.

The prairie dog is active during the day, more so in the cooler hours during the summer months, engaging in social activities, eating, or working on their burrows. They avoid high grass and brushy areas for their own protection, as this cuts down on the visibility to see approaching danger. There is always a sentry on guard watching for predators, sounding an alarm when danger nears.

The prairie dog enjoys a short hibernation period from about November until early March. Shortly after the end of hibernation, a litter of “pups” will be born numbering four or five. At the age of six weeks, the young venture from the burrows onto the surface and actually begin eating grasses at this time. They reach sexual maturity at two years of age, at which time the young males will usually disperse to start their own harems. A harem consists of several females, two to eight, per dominant male. The male watches over his harem, and the harems are usually a subdivision of the larger population, much like a county within a state.

The entire population of prairie dogs within an area is called a “town”. The town will cover an area of one to 1,000 acres. The largest town on record was right here in Texas and covered an area of 25,000 square miles and boasting a population estimate of four million. Prairie dog towns are still common, but less than one percent of the prairie dog population and their habitat remain.

During the last 50 years, the increase in farming interest and livestock have displaced the prairie dogs drastically reducing their numbers. Large prairie dog towns can damage cultivated crops, and compete with livestock for forage.

David Etheredge, assistant professor of biology at South Plains College says, “Some colonies are reservoirs for Bubonic plague.”

Prairie dogs usually dine on low growing weeds and grasses. However they are voracious eaters, and approximately 250 prairie dogs eat as much in a day as one cow. In areas where the prairie dog has been removed, it has been learned that an undesirable spread of unwanted brush has occurred.

In addition to the grazing and destruction of land Etheredge, added “Holes are dangerous for livestock.” Prairie dogs play a vital role in the prairie ecosystem, as they are a food source for many predators. The vacated holes of the prairie dogs serve as a home to the black-footed ferret and the burrowing owl, both of which are on the endangered species list. Their vacated holes also help protect horned lizards, rabbits, and even rattlesnakes.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said that the prairie dogs were the cause of pollution at the Lubbock city farm. The city had decided to eradicate the prairie dog causing an uproar and several lawsuits. This caused the TCEQ to extend the deadline for eradication in order to allow scientists more time to better pinpoint the actual cause of the pollution.

The prairie dog town plays a major role in Lubbock’s visitors. Many visitors that come to Lubbock venture out to see the small dogs in their natural habitat. Amy Zientek, research and marketing coordinator with the Lubbock Convention and Visitors Bureau, says, “That Lubbock is one of few places that embrace the prairie dog.” When asked what it is about the small animal that draws people from all over the United States to visit our area, Zientek said, “They are playful little animals that like to show off.”

 

While the number of visitors to the prairie dog town and its economic impact on the city is not available, a recent study conducted by Randall Travel Marketing showed the prairie dog town to be the number five attractor of visitors. This places the prairie dog town up there with Texas Tech, the Buddy Holly Center, the Depot District, and the museum at Texas Tech.

The prairie dog town is currently closed for renovations, but Zientek added, “It should be opened back up this spring.” An exact reopening date was not available at this time.

The population of prairie dogs have been relocated to other colonies in the area, some of which have been placed at Lubbock Lake Landmark. The Lubbock prairie dog town was spot lighted in the May 2003 issue of Texas Monthly, and recently a Travel Texas photographer was in Lubbock to video the animals. This 30-second video will be placed on the Travel Texas website. This website can be found at www.traveltex.com

For more information on Lubbock’s prairie dog town and other local attractions, contact the Lubbock Convention and Visitors Bureau at (806) 692-4035 or via the Internet at www.visitlubbock.org