A comparison of hibernation in the black-tailed prairie dog, white-tailed prairie dog, and Wyoming ground squirrel

Abstract

Black-tailed prairie dogs have been reported to be active above ground during periods throughout the year and have, therefore, been described as being incapable of hibernation. Previous laboratory studies, however, have suggested that this may not be true. We have found that during the winter when maintained under identical conditions, Wyoming ground squirrels and white-tailed prairie dogs will enter torpor at an ambient temperature of 7 °C, while black-tailed prairie dogs will not. However, when deprived of food and water, black-tailed prairie dogs can be induced into a state of torpor that is characterized by a shorter duration of continuous dormancy than that of the ground squirrels or white-tailed prairie dogs. A comparison of these sciurid rodents offers a good example of alternate strategies for winter survival among closely related species. While two of these species readily utilize torpor, black-tailed prairie dogs may rely on alternate physiological capacities to cope with food and water shortage as a partial substitute for winter torpor.