Prairie dogs generally occupy open grasslands in plains and plateaus and is considered a key species in the region since its activities significantly alter ecosystem structure and composition. This species is closely associated with valleys and pastures characterized by plants less than 5 cm in height and well-drained soils (Ceballos and Mellink 1990). They are diurnal animals using elaborate burrow systems for shelter and protection against predators. Their predators include coyotes, badgers, desert foxes, golden eagles, red-tailed hawks and rattlesnakes (Ceballos 2014). Often, the vegetation of the areas surrounding prairie dog colonies is more arid, which can form an impenetrable barrier for their dispersal (Baker 1956). This species shows a high degree of social organization and form large colonies (towns) composed of several family groups which often cover an area of 100 ha or more. They exhibit an annual cycle with mating occurring in mid-January and early February, extending until April and a gestation period of one month (Mellink and Madrigal 1993). Females give birth between mid-February and early March, and produce one litter per year, with two to eight offspring per litter (Mellink and Madrigal 1993). Their diet consists mainly of different species of grasses, forbs, flowers, and seeds, but they will occasionally feed on cacti and yuccas (Ceballos 2014, Koprowski et al. 2016).

This species is endemic to Mexico and occurs in grasslands in the northeastern states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosí; it once also occurred in the state of Zacatecas but populations have been extirpated (Canales-del Castillo et al. 2010 and Ceballos 2014). Its distribution is restricted to a small region (approximately 500 km²) which is limited to the north and east by the Sierra Madre Oriental and to the south and west by arid hills and plains (Ceballos 2014). It is found between 1,600 m asl and 2,200 m asl (Ceballos 2014). The current colonies are very fragmented and have been stongly reduced mainly in the state of Nevo Leon, San Luis and Coahuila. They have most likely been able to maintain stable (STAC) (Alvarez-Castañeda pers. comm.).

This species is listed on Appendix I of CITES and endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS 1970) and SEMARNAT (SEMARNAT 2010).