A single black footed ferret can eat up to one hundred prairie dogs every single year, so the survival of the black footed ferret it closely entwined with the survival of the prairie dog. Ferrets rely on prairie dogs for survival. Can ferrets eat carrots or other vegetables? Though black-footed ferrets sometimes eat squirrels, mice, and other rodents, prairie dogs are essential to their survival, making up the majority of the ferret diet. The ferrets feed almost exclusively on prairie dogs but plague can wipe out prairie dog colonies, leaving ferrets without enough to eat. The U.S. Dark-footed ferrets depend on prairie dogs for everything from food to shelter to safety. The ferrets feed almost exclusively on prairie dogs but plague can wipe out prairie dog colonies, leaving ferrets without enough to eat. Which ferret eats prairie dogs? This could make them sick and slow them down. At the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the prairie dogs eat fed high-fiber herbivore pellets, assorted veggies and greens, and Bermuda grass. Ferrets have fast metabolism and eat around 8-10 small meals every day. There are many different thoughts about what ferrets should eat. Depending on the season, prairie dogs may eat more underground roots than grass, but they are known to be foragers and adapt to their changing environments. Wild ferrets (and European polecats) eat small rodents like mice, rats voles and rabbits. What do ferrets eat? Dark-footed ferrets depend on prairie dogs for everything from food to shelter to safety. Black-footed ferrets are native to North America, and their diet mostly consists of prairie dogs. Adaptable in their hunting habits, they can also change prey species according to availability. ... 91% of the wild ferrets’ diet make prairie dogs. Since they eat alot of grass this leaves less food for other animals. No, I should think not. Related Questions. According to defenders.org scientists estimate that a healthy population of ferrets would require more than 10,000 acres of prairie dogs in order for them to survive on a long-term basis. What Do Ferrets Eat in the Wild? The U.S. Make sure to keep ferrets away from your dog's food and toys. Well Ferrets are strict carnivores and when there in the wild they hunt down small animals like prairie dogs. SUBSCRIBE NOW for full access. Prairie dogs live in underground burrows, extensive warrens of tunnels and chambers marked by many mounds of packed earth at their surface entrances. Prairie dogs even help aerate and fertilize the soil, allowing a greater diversity of plants to thrive. You’re going to want to stay away from grain and corn foods when feeding your pet ferret. Ferrets have fast metabolism and eat around 8-10 small meals every day. The population of the animals declined. What do ferrets eat you ask? Over the last 100 years, prairie dog colonies across the West have been plowed and poisoned across vast areas. Prairie dogs can also destroy a farmer's crop of alfalfa, hay, wheat or corn. To aid ferrets, vaccine treats planned for prairie dogs ... leaving ferrets without enough to eat. In areas where prairie dogs hibernate, wild ferrets switch to eating mice and voles. If there is any doubt or any sign of aggression, it is best to never have dogs and ferrets run free together. The black-footed ferret is the focus of major conservation efforts on the ground today due to its endangered status. Therefore, the ferrets are also endangered nowadays. They are saved, being bred in captivity. Wiki User November 08, 2008 1:57AM. ... Smithsonian … A natural prairie dog diet consists primarily of grasses, with some brush, roots, and the prickly pear (which you can grow at home) for much of their water intake. A single female with a litter living in a black-tailed prairie dog habitat requires 91 to 235 acres of land for sustenance.