Co-Authored By:
A better question might be “what doesn't eataprairie dog, given the chance?” Americanbadgers,bobcats, coyotes, long-tailed weasels,andblack-footed ferrets will eat prairie dogs, aswillfoxes, mountain lions, and many species of raptorincludinggolden eagles, northern harriers, peregrine falcons,prairiefalcons
Thereof, do prairie dogs eat meat?
Prairie dogs are considered cute by manyNorthAmericans, even Teddy Roosevelt, who once called them“themost noisy and inquisitive animals imaginable.”What theydo not eat is meat, yet prairiedogsfrequently murder other animals for reasons other thansustenance,researchers reported Wednesday.
Considering this, what do prarie dogs eat?
Prairie dogs are chiefly herbivorous, thoughtheyeat some insects. They feed primarily on grasses andsmallseeds. In the fall, they eat broadleaf forbs. In thewinter,lactating and pregnant females supplement their diets withsnow forextra water.
Scapegoated for crop damage and livestockinjuries,prairie dogs are used as live targets in organizedshoots onpublic lands, miles away from crops and cattle. Prairiedogsplay an important role in the ecosystem. They provide foodforpredators and shelter for other burrowing animals.