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recomraended that studies of the general ecology and biology of prairie dogs be 

 conducted and actual benefits of control efforts be determined before any 

 intensive control work is conducted. Studies such as these should be conducted 

 with landowner cooperation and support if possible. Until the time such in- 

 vestigations can be accomplished, cooperative agreements should be worked 

 out with individual landowners for limited prairie dog control. Although 

 there might be some negative impacts on certain nongame species in the short 

 term, if the landowners can be convinced to assist in an overall program for 

 nongame perpetuation, much will have been accomplished. 



Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel (Speimophilis trideaimlineatus) - Although no 

 specimens of this species were captured in the course of the trapping effort, 

 several were observed and collected in the sage-grassland and creek types. 

 This species occupied the more grassy areas in the sage-grassland and creek 

 types. The relative abundance of this species was not accurately sampled with 

 the techniques employed. Therefore, it was listed as uncommon on the area. 



Eastern Fox Squirrel {Sciurus nigep) - Evidence of the occurrence of this 

 species was from three leaf nests observed in cottonwoods adjacent to the 

 Yellowstone River. This species was confined to the Yellowstone River bottom- 

 lands and Hinz (pers. comm.) reported observing fox squirrels approximately 10 

 miles east of the study area. In addition, Hoffmann et al. (1969) lists records 

 of this species west of this area as well. 



Bushy-Tail Woodra t {Neotoma ainerea) - Broken sandstone outcrops and abandoned 

 homesites were the areas where this species was commonly observed. It follows, 

 therefore, that it occurred most frequently in the badlands type, although it 

 can be found in broken rocky areas in other types. In view of the fact it 

 occupies most of the aforementioned sites, it was listed as common for the area. 



Western Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis) - This species was relatively 

 uncommon on the area and was generally found in the sage-grassland vegetation 

 type although one specimen was captured in the creek type. Trapping data 

 indicated this species was more susceptible to capture in the fall than during 

 summer . 



Deer Mouse (Per omy sous maniculatus) - This ubiquitous species was the most 

 abundant mammal on the study area. It was trapped in all vegetation types and 

 was usually the most abundant mammal trapped. Trapping data indicated the 

 broken, rugged terrain of the badlands type provided the most suitable habitat 

 for this species on the area. 



Muskra t {Ondatra zihethioa) - This furbearer was also confined to the major 

 creek types on the area, although a few were found at large reservoirs removed 

 from this type. Although it was listed as uncommon for this area, it was locally 

 common at reservoirs where suitable conditions existed. 



Prairie Vole (Miorotus oahrogaster) - This species was most frequently captured 

 in the creek vegetation type and secondly in the grassland type. Specimens 

 were also taken in the limber pine badlands although not with the frequency of 

 the other types. It was the only vole captured on the area although Matthews 

 (1980) reported capturing Miarotus pennsilvaniaus immediately east of the area 

 and it was probable that this species occurred on this study area as well. 



