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What Animals Are Endangered in the Steppe & Prairie Biome?

The steppe and prairie biomes are home to a host of endangered species. The steppe biome is a dry grassland found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia. Rare steppe animal species include the Saker falcon, while and other steppe animals like the lynx are listed as "vulnerable," which means they are not endangered but without careful conservation extinction is highly likely. Prairie biomes are also grasslands with rolling hills where herbs, grasses and flowers and the occasional tree can grow. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the black-tailed prairie dog is one of several endangered prairie species.

The Saker Falcon
- The endangered Altai subspecies is a favorite bird for falconers
  
  The Saker falcon is a bird of prey living in the steppe biomes of Siberia, Russia and Mongolia. Subspecies include the steppe Saker, the mountain Saker and the Altai Saker. There is no current count of the population of Saker falcons. It is believed, however, that there are about 130 pairs living in Europe, and about 1,000 pairs of birds in Russia. The decline of the steppe Saker falcon subspecies population is believed to be caused by the regional extinction of their prey, a type of ground squirrel. There are only about 200 pairs of steppe Saker falcons left and they will probably become extinct within the next 15 years.
Saiga Antelope
- The Saiga antelope was once found in western Europe and Alaska. It now only lives in Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Kalmykia. The Saiga antelope horn is used for traditional Chinese medicine, and entire herds have been slaughtered for their horns. In the 1980s, the Saiga had made a strong recovery, but illegal trade in Saiga horns is increasing. While not currently listed as an endangered species, the saiga is classified as "vulnerable."
Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs
- Black-tailed prarie dogs are endangered in Utah and Mexico.
  
  Prarie dogs are rodents of the squirrel family and are unique to North America. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Utah and Mexican black-tailed prairie dogs are currently listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened and endangered, respectively. Note that another federally endangered species, the black-footed ferret, is dependent upon black-tailed prairie dogs for prey.
Black-Footed Ferret
- The black-footed ferret is completely dependent upon prairie dogs for its survival. Prairie dog populations have declined due to habitat destruction, poisoning and plague. Once considered extinct, the black-footed ferret was rediscovered in Wyoming in 1982. Government groups and organizations have been reintroducing black-footed ferrets into the wild from captive breeding facilities since 1991. Beginning in Wyoming, reintroduction efforts now take place in several states including Montana, New Mexico, Utah and others.

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