Are there prairie dogs in Washington State?
Then, what states are prairie dogs illegal in?
Unfortunately, sometimes prairie dogs can be considered to be 'exotic' or 'wild' animals and may be illegal to own or require a permit. Prairie dogs are not legal in California, Arizona, Hawaii, and other states (the laws are always changing, so check anyway).
Regarding this, can you keep a prairie dog as a pet?
Prairie dogs, typically black-tailed prairie dogs, are occasional kept as pets. However, they are not suitable pets for most owners as they can become difficult and aggressive if not regularly handled. Unless you can spend a large amount of time with your pet, keeping only 1 prairie dog is not recommended.
Prairie dogs are an important food source for many predators. Badgers, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, golden eagles, and various hawks all take their toll. Rattlesnakes and bullsnakes occasionally prey on the young.