The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) is a federally listed endangered species protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
high
legal_status
Legal protection status under U.S. federal law
Black-footed ferrets primarily prey on prairie dogs and play an indispensable ecological role in prairie ecosystems by helping control prairie dog populations; prairie dogs act as a keystone species that supports the health of the entire prairie ecosystem.
high
ecological_role
Trophic interaction and ecosystem function in prairie habitats
In temperate prairie regions, the autumn season provides a critical window for juvenile black-footed ferrets to develop hunting skills and begin mating before winter, and survival through winter by those juveniles contributes to stabilizing wild ferret populations.
high
life_history
Seasonal timing important for successful reintroduction and population persistence