Conservation Status and What It Means for Landowners
No Formal Conservation Listing
black-tailed prairie dog is No federal listing and no state listing in Texas. As a species without formal conservation listing, no regulatory restrictions apply, but managing for it contributes to overall ecosystem health and strengthens your wildlife management plan.
Habitat Requirements
black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) occurs across 133 Texas counties. This mammal requires suitable cover for denning and resting, reliable food sources, and connected habitat corridors for movement and dispersal. Land management practices that maintain native vegetation diversity, protect water sources, and reduce habitat fragmentation benefit this species.
Wildlife Management Plan Implications
Including black-tailed prairie dog as a target species in your wildlife management plan demonstrates active management for a species representative of healthy ecosystems in Texas. Your plan should document habitat conditions on your property, identify management practices that benefit this species, and establish monitoring protocols to track population trends over the 5-year plan period. While this species does not carry conservation status, managing for it demonstrates a commitment to maintaining the ecological community your property supports.
Texas Ecoregions
- Multiple Texas ecoregions
Texas County Distribution
133
of 254 Texas counties with documented occurrences
52% of Texas counties
Recommended Management Practices
These practices from the 7 pillars of wildlife management are most relevant to black-tailed prairie dog conservation.
Habitat Control
Maintain diverse native vegetation and connected habitat corridors
Census
Trail camera surveys to document presence, population trends, and habitat use
Supplemental Water
Maintain reliable water sources throughout the property
Providing Shelter
Protect denning and resting sites including brush piles, rock outcrops, and hollow trees
Include black-tailed prairie dog in Your Wildlife Management Plan
Our interactive plan builder walks you through selecting target species, mapping your property, and meeting TPWD intensity standards for your ecoregion. Flat rate pricing, any Texas county.
Start Your Wildlife Management PlanFrequently Asked Questions
What does the conservation status of black-tailed prairie dog mean for my property?
black-tailed prairie dog is currently No federal listing and no state listing. Although this species does not carry formal protective status, TPWD recognizes it as part of the native wildlife community that wildlife management plans are designed to support.
How do I survey for black-tailed prairie dog on my property?
Survey methods depend on the species and habitat type. For black-tailed prairie dog, consult your ecoregion's TPWD wildlife biologist for recommended survey protocols. Document all observations with date, location, habitat description, and photographs when possible. Include survey results in your annual wildlife management plan activities log.