Habitat Relationships of the Utah Prairie Dog
Crocker-Bedford DC, Spillett JJ, Intermountain Region USDA Forest Service. 1981. Habitat Relationships of the Utah Prairie Dog. US Department of Agriculture, USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region. Ogden, UT
The Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens, Allen) inhabits five south-central Utah counties and presently is considered as a species in danger of becoming extinct (USFWS, 1977). Utah prairie dog colonies are of three types: 1) High elevation (above 2,200m or 7,200 feet), 2)low elevation (below 2,200m)(Collier, 1975), and 3) low elevation associated with alfalfa. Two representative Utah prairie dog colonies--a high elevation colony (HC) near the Bryce Canyon airport and a low elevation colony associated with alfalfa (AC) near the junction of Utah Highway 12 and Sevier River--were intensively studied between February 1974 and September 1975. Comparative data also were collected at a low elevation colony lacking alfalfa (LC) near Hatch. Aspects studied included the Utah prairie dog's life history, food preferences, and habitat relationships. The species' effects upon vegetation also were evaluated, and recommendations pertinent to the selection of prairie dog transplant sites and habitat management were developed.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Crocker-Bedford, D; Spillett, J; Intermountain Region USDA Forest Service
- Date of Issue
- 1981
- Publisher
- US Department of Agriculture, USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region
- Units
- BRCA
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Diet, Habitat, Mammals, Management, Plant Studies, Poisoning, Population Density, Restoration - Natural, Threatened-Endangered-Sensitive Animals, Utah Prairie Dog, white-tailed, Wildlife Management