Are There Prairie Dogs in Montana?
Yes, prairie dogs live in eastern Montana, primarily black-tailed prairie dogs that inhabit the short-grass prairies of the state's eastern plains. Their range extends from the North Dakota border southward through eastern Montana, concentrated in counties including Prairie, Custer, Powder River, and the region around Fort Peck.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Black-tailed Prairie Dog · Shawn Taylor CC BY
Black-tailed Prairie Dog · Meghan Cassidy CC BY-SA
Black-tailed Prairie Dog · Alessandro Franchini CC BY
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- GBIF records
Yes, prairie dogs are in Montana. Next you'll want:
Yes, prairie dogs live in eastern Montana, primarily black-tailed prairie dogs that inhabit the short-grass prairies of the state's eastern plains. Their range extends from the North Dakota border southward through eastern Montana, concentrated in counties including Prairie, Custer, Powder River, and the region around Fort Peck.
Prairie Dog Distribution Across Eastern Montana
Black-tailed prairie dogs occur across eastern Montana's short-grass prairie region, with their northern limit near the North Dakota border. The largest populations concentrate in the eastern plains counties including Prairie, Custer, and Powder River counties. Scattered colonies extend southward across the state's eastern tier. The Missouri River generally marks the western limit of prairie dog range in Montana, though small populations occasionally appear in isolated prairie pockets west of the river. Fort Peck Lake and the surrounding Fort Peck Indian Reservation contain prairie dog colonies. The Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge supports prairie dog populations, making it a good location for viewing and study. Historically, prairie dog range was more extensive, but habitat loss and active extermination campaigns in the early 1900s reduced colonies significantly. Modern populations remain wild and subject to natural predation, disease, and environmental factors. For detailed information about prairie dog locations and habitat in Montana, visit/wildlife/montana. You can also explore general wildlife information at/wildlife. Check/wildlife/montana/prairie-dogfor Montana-specific prairie dog guides.
Seasonal Patterns in Montana's Prairie Dog Habitat
Eastern Montana prairie dogs experience distinct seasonal cycles tied to the region's semiarid climate. Winter brings cold temperatures, with lows reaching minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, and moderate snowfall. Prairie dogs reduce activity but remain awake, entering torpor rather than hibernation. They emerge from burrows on warm winter days to feed and maintain tunnel systems. Late February and early March bring warming and increased activity as breeding season begins. Males establish and defend territories through vocal displays and fighting. Females give birth in April, with litters typically consisting of three to five pups. May and June see pups emerging from burrows for the first time, small and vulnerable, staying close to their mothers and learning from older colony members. Summer activity is intense: constant foraging on grasses and forbs, social interaction, and burrow maintenance occur during cool morning and evening hours. Hot midday heat drives animals underground. Fall cooling prompts heavy feeding to build fat reserves for winter survival. Late fall sees reduced activity as temperatures drop. This seasonal rhythm drives all prairie dog behavior and shapes colony dynamics. Learn about Montana wildlife seasonality at/wildlife/montana.
Prairie Dog Identification in Montana
Montana's black-tailed prairie dogs are distinctive rodents weighing one to three pounds, roughly rabbit-sized. Their fur is tan to reddish-brown, dense and soft, providing insulation against Montana's cold winters. Their ears are small and rounded, positioned high on their heads. Their legs are short and muscular, powerfully adapted for digging. Their eyes are positioned on the sides of their heads for nearly 360-degree vision, helping them detect predators. The most distinctive feature is their tail, which has black fur on the terminal half, contrasting with lighter fur on the basal portion. Their front teeth are large, yellow, and continuously growing throughout life. Perhaps the most recognizable prairie dog behavior is standing upright on their hind legs, a posture held motionless for extended periods while scanning for predators. This vigilant posture is one of the best identifying features in the field. Their vocalizations are equally distinctive: loud barking calls resembling a small dog's bark, plus chirps and chattering sounds used for communication and alarm. Once you hear a prairie dog bark, it is unmistakable. Visit/wildlife/montana/prairie-dogfor detailed identification guides and photos.
Montana's Prairie Dog Habitat and Terrain
Eastern Montana's prairie dog colonies occupy short-grass prairie and semi-arid grassland with specific characteristics. The terrain is flat to gently rolling, allowing prairie dogs to maintain visual vigilance against predators. Soils vary but must be well-drained and suitable for excavating extensive burrow systems. Annual rainfall in prairie dog habitat ranges from 10 to 15 inches, relatively dry by eastern Montana standards, supporting native grasses including buffalo grass, blue grama, and needlegrass. The vegetation is short, typically no taller than 6 inches, allowing prairie dogs to see predators across significant distances. Trees are almost entirely absent or very scattered in prime prairie dog habitat. The landscape is windswept and open, with long vistas. Topography occasionally includes small buttes and rises that provide additional viewing points for sentinel prairie dogs. The Fort Peck Lake region provides habitat diversity, with prairie grasslands interspersed with water and desert scrub. The National Bison Range has prairie dog colonies on its short-grass portions. These Montana colonies represent the northern limit of black-tailed prairie dog range in North America. Visit/wildlife/montanato explore other Montana prairie habitats.
Prairie Dog Behavior and Social Organization
Montana's prairie dogs are intensely social animals living in organized colonies called towns, sometimes containing hundreds of individuals divided into family units called coteries. Each coterie occupies and defends a specific territory within the larger town. A coterie typically includes a breeding pair, their offspring from the current and prior years, and occasionally nonrelated individuals. Social bonds are strong: family members groom each other, rest in close proximity, and communicate constantly through vocalizations. Communication is advanced: different alarm calls convey information about predator type, location, and threat level. Young prairie dogs learn vocalizations from parents and older siblings. Prairie dogs are strictly herbivorous, feeding primarily on grasses, clover, forbs, and seeds. They consume about one-fourth of their body weight daily, requiring constant foraging. Burrow systems are extensive, sometimes spanning dozens of acres and reaching 15 feet deep, with multiple chambers for sleeping, nursing young, food storage, and water drainage. Prairie dogs are most active during morning and evening when temperatures are cool. Hot midday heat and darkness drive animals underground. Visit/wildlife/montana/prairie-dogfor detailed behavioral information.
Conservation Status and Wildlife Protection
Black-tailed prairie dogs in Montana are protected under state law, with regulations managed by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in Montana, though populations have declined from historical levels. Some prairie dog colonies are located on federal lands including the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and Fort Peck Lake area, where they receive protection. Other colonies occur on private ranch land. Conflicts sometimes occur between ranch operators and prairie dogs because they compete with cattle for forage and their burrows can pose hazards to livestock. Plague, a bacterial disease transmitted by fleas, naturally affects prairie dog populations, causing periodic mortality. Disease has significantly impacted populations in recent decades. Habitat loss through conversion of prairie to agriculture and development poses an ongoing threat. Wildlife conservation groups work to protect remaining colonies and restore prairie habitat. Montana does not allow hunting or trapping of prairie dogs. The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks manages populations through habitat protection and monitoring. Learn more about prairie dog conservation at/wildlife/montanaand explore other Montana conservation efforts at/wildlife.
Animals That Might Be Mistaken for Prairie Dogs
In eastern Montana prairie habitat, several other animals can be mistaken for prairie dogs by inexperienced observers. Ground squirrels, particularly the thirteen-lined ground squirrel and Richardson's ground squirrel, resemble prairie dogs but are smaller, more solitary, and have distinctive stripe patterns. They live in burrows but lack the elaborate social structure and colony organization of prairie dogs. Marmots inhabit higher elevation rocky terrain and are much larger and heavier than prairie dogs. Gophers create tunnel systems and mounds but are smaller and solitary. Wyoming ground squirrels are small and have different coloration. Burrowing owls sometimes associate with prairie dog colonies, using abandoned burrows for nesting, but are obviously bird-shaped rather than rodent-shaped. If you observe a small mammal standing upright on its hind legs barking or chirping in Montana's eastern grasslands, it is almost certainly a prairie dog. Visit/wildlife/montana/prairie-dogfor detailed identification information to distinguish prairie dogs from similar species.
Frequently Asked Questions About Montana Prairie Dogs
**Q: Where can I see prairie dogs in Montana? A:** Prairie dog colonies occur in eastern Montana's short-grass prairie region, with accessible populations near Fort Peck Lake and Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. Check/wildlife/montanafor specific locations and viewing recommendations. **Q: What time of year is best to see prairie dogs in Montana? A:** Spring and early summer, May through July, when pups emerge and activity is high. Animals are less visible during winter and late fall when burrow occupancy is greatest. **Q: Are prairie dogs dangerous to humans? A:** No, they avoid people and retreat to burrows when approached. They are not aggressive and do not bite unless cornered. Plague can theoretically transmit to humans from fleas, but direct contact with prairie dogs is very low risk. **Q: Is it legal to hunt or trap prairie dogs in Montana? A:** No, Montana law protects prairie dogs. They cannot be legally hunted or trapped. Wildlife viewing is permitted on public lands.
Plan your prairie dog sighting in Montana
4,719 verified prairie dog records have been logged in Montana, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Montana
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