The Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes), also known as the American polecat or prairie dog hunter, is a species of mustelid native to the plains of the western United States. They are best known for a diet consisting of mostly prairie dogs. They'll even use the prairie dogs extensive tunnels as homes for their colonies. Black-footed ferrets are one of the few creatures that can follow a prairie dog into their burrow systems. With a long, flexible body, they can follow the prairie dog even through the twistiest of tunnels. They also have a black mask around their face to reduce the sun's glare so they can look out onto the prairies and spot a prairie dog. These mustelids are endangered with only about 1,200 left in the wild due to being previously hunted for their fur.
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