Are Prairie Dogs a Nuisance?

Prairie Dogs & the Ecosystem
Are Prairie Dogs a Nuisance?

Although an important species in the short and mid-grass prairies, prairie dogs are often considered a nuisance in urban and agricultural environments. Due to the dispersal activities of prairie dogs and the significant lack of predators in the urban environment, prairie dogs are often in conflict with urban land uses. Prairie dogs can cause costly damage to agricultural crops, landscaping, earthen dams, airports, and golf courses.

Prairie dogs occur within Boulder primarily along the edges of preserved open space and on small, fragmented parcels where development has boxed in or pushed out the colony over time. Prairie dog colonies are not static. As colonies grow and deplete the resources on one site, they can disperse to other sites and establish new colonies. Prairie dogs will readily move from one site to adjacent properties and forage on lawns and established landscaping. Sites within Boulder that are currently unaffected by prairie dogs may be affected next year after the breeding season.

In addition to causing damage, prairie dogs can be a safety hazard. Many of the prairie dog colonies within Boulder are located in transportation right-of-ways. As the colonies expand, they sometimes disperse across roads causing potential hazards to themselves and motorists.

Learn more about prairie dogs

Last Updated on Monday, 27 March 2006 08:12