Black-Footed Ferret By: Allison Mayfield
Black-Footed Ferret
The Black-Footed Ferret is an endangered species that lives in the grasslands of North America. They are one of the most endangered mammals in North America and one of the few species native to this continent and is the only ferret native the North America.
They have became endangered due to habitat loss, disease, and a decrease in their main source of prey. The Black-Footed Ferret’s main source of food is the prairie dog. In the early part of the 20th century prairie dogs were considered pests and as a result their towns were plowed over, they were also shot, killed, and poisoned. Without the prairie dog the Black-Footed Ferret has a decreased chance of survival.
Another reason the prairie dog population was decreasing is from lethal plagues that are transmitted though fleas. This disease greatly impacts the Black-Footed Ferret‘s ability to survive. Not only are the prairie dogs a source of prey, but the Black-Footed Ferret also uses their tunnels for shelter. Without shelter the Black-Footed Ferret is susceptible to becoming prey on the wide open plains it calls home.
The disease is still a threat to the reintroduction of the Black-Footed Ferret. The World Wildlife Foundation have tried making a vaccine for the prairie dogs to help the Black-Footed Ferrets prosper in their reintroduction.
Interesting video about the Black-Footed Ferret:
Resources:
Way cute. And interesting this link between the health of different species
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