Burrowing owls use the tunnels dug by prairie dogs for shelter. If the number of prairie dogs and their tunnels decrease, what is most likely to happen to the population of burrowing owls in the same area?

A. It will increase slightly.

B. It will decrease somewhat.

C. It will decrease to zero.

D. It will remain the same

The answer is (B)

Since Prairie dogs provide both shelter and increased prey abundance, when prairie dogs and their habitat decline, it causes a decline in burrowing owl numbers. If fewer prairie dogs remain to create and maintain these unique patches of habitat, the burrowing owl somewhat declines and becomes endangered with time.