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Definition of black-tailed prairie dog
black-tailed prairie dog
Plural:black-tailed prairie dogs
• noun
1
North American A stout, burrowing rodent belonging to the squirrel family, native to the Great Plains of North America, and characterized by a distinctive black-tipped tail and a highly social structure organized into complex underground colonies.
Example
"Conservationists recognize the black-tailed prairie dog as a keystone species, since its extensive burrow networks provide vital shelter for burrowing owls, snakes, and the endangered black-footed ferret."
Word Nuance & Usage
Despite the common name 'dog', the black-tailed prairie dog is actually a species of ground squirrel or burrowing rodent.
• Nearby Words
black-headed python
black-necked spitting cobra
black-striped snake
black-tailed prairie dog
blackball
blackbelt
blackberry
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Black-tailed prairie dog. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/black--tailed-prairie-dog