Did ranchers create the prairie dog over population?

Question

Did ranchers create the prairie dog over population?

Answer 1

While stagerod has made a couple of good points, he's talking about natural tall grass prairies. Grazing doesn't significantly shorten what we called "buffalo grass."   I grew up on natural short grass prairie.  The unplowed pastures are not significantly different now than they were 150 years ago.  The plowed prairie has been nudged toward mono-culture, which is the problem Stagerod is highlighting.

Aside from that caveat, he and jack both gave sound answers:  eliminating the predators was largely responsible for the increase in prey.

Answer 2

i think so...

Answer 3

yes. mostly by killing off the natural predators, but also by clearing the high grass on the plains with the grazing of cattle and sheep. ie: lower grass, easier to see what predators are left.

Answer 4

To a degree yes. Ranchers killed predators that kept the prairie dog population in check. Coyotes might have been a threat to cattle, horses and sheep, but snakes, owls, eagles and hawks are not and never were.