What is the Importance of Black Footed Ferrets?

The Black Footed Ferret  is an important member of the Great Plains prairie ecosystem. As a predator, these creatures play an important role in keeping the prairie dog population in check. In this ecosystem they play a unique and important role that cannot be fulfilled by any other animal.

If unchecked, the prairie dogs population would explode, and they are considered pests because of their tunneling systems. Because of their tunneling systems, many grazing farm animals such as cows and horses may step in these tunnels and become lame, and most of the time must be put down.

 Prairie dogs are huge holders of zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animal to humans) such as Bubonic Plague and Tularemia. Both of these disease you DO NOT want to acquire. I thought about posting pictures of Bubonic Plague symptoms, but was too grossed out to do so. (You're welcome) 

Black Footed Ferrets are a huge contributor to the balance in the prairie ecosystems in the United States Great Plains areas.

Here is a great video with rockin' music which gives information on the Ferrets!