The Black-footed Ferret is one of North America's most endangered mammals, once thought extinct before a wild population was discovered in Wyoming in 1981. It is a specialist predator almost entirely dependent on prairie dogs for food and shelter, using abandoned burrows as dens. Captive breeding and reintroduction programs have reestablished small populations across several western states.
Habitat
Shortgrass prairies with active prairie dog towns
Diet
Prairie dogs (over 90% of diet)
How common
Very rare
Recent Black-footed Ferret sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Black-footed Ferret? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free