Dean Biggins, PhD
Dr. Biggins is a scientist emeritus at the Fort Collins Science Center.
Dr. Biggins has been interested in grassland ecology since 1981. Within that broad topic his research has involved varied themes, including aspects of behavioral ecology, predator-prey relationships, and ecology of wildlife diseases. Most of his investigations have been motivated by their application to conservation and recovery of federally listed species. In that context, Dr. Biggins has worked at field study sites from Montana to Chihuahua, Mexico, as well as in Inner Mongolia and the Tibetan Plateau. Research has involved students at various universities (in CA, CO, ID, NM, MI, MO, TX, WY, France, and China). Taxa of interest have been carnivores (e.g., black-footed ferrets, Siberian polecats, badgers, weasels, coyotes, foxes), rodents, arthropods (fleas, ticks), and bacteria (Yersinia pestis). His present research emphasis is on ecology of plague, including its hosts and vectors, concentrating on maintenance of plague and its chronic effects on wildlife populations and ecosystems during inter-epizootic periods.
Professional Experience
Scientist Emeritus, U.S. Geological Survey, 2019 - Present
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Biology, Colorado State University, 2002-present
Research Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, 1996-2019
Research Wildlife Biologist, National Biological Service, 1993-1996
Research Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1976-1993
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Zoology, Colorado State University, 2000
M.S., Wildlife Biology, University of Montana, 1975
B.S., Wildlife Management, Humboldt State University, 1968
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Society of Mammalogists, 1989 to present
Honors and Awards
2012—Aldo Leopold Award, American Society of Mammalogists
2005—Science Excellence Award of the Year, USGS, Biolo
2004—Conservationist of the Year, Denver Zoological Foundation
1998—Special Recognition Award, Black-footed Ferret Recovery Implementation Team
Science and Products
Bobcat attack on a cottontail rabbit
Forage preferences in two species of prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens and Cynomus ludovicianus): Implications for hibernation and facultative heterothermy
Extreme plasticity in thermoregulatory behaviors of free-ranging black-tailed prairie dogs
A history of searches for black-footed ferrets
Conservation of prairie dogs in areas with plague
Monitoring black-footed ferrets during reestablishment of free-ranging populations: Discussion of alternative methods and recommended minimum standards
Evaluating habitat for black-footed ferrets: Revision of an existing model
Habitat preferences and intraspecific competition in black-footed ferrets
Modeling black-footed ferret energetics: Are southern release sites better?
Postrelease movements and survival of adult and young black-footed ferrets
Radio telemetry for black-footed ferret research and monitoring
The quest for a safe and effective canine distemper virus vaccine for black-footed ferrets
Science and Products
Bobcat attack on a cottontail rabbit
Forage preferences in two species of prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens and Cynomus ludovicianus): Implications for hibernation and facultative heterothermy
Extreme plasticity in thermoregulatory behaviors of free-ranging black-tailed prairie dogs
A history of searches for black-footed ferrets
Conservation of prairie dogs in areas with plague
Monitoring black-footed ferrets during reestablishment of free-ranging populations: Discussion of alternative methods and recommended minimum standards
Evaluating habitat for black-footed ferrets: Revision of an existing model
Habitat preferences and intraspecific competition in black-footed ferrets
Modeling black-footed ferret energetics: Are southern release sites better?
Postrelease movements and survival of adult and young black-footed ferrets
Radio telemetry for black-footed ferret research and monitoring
The quest for a safe and effective canine distemper virus vaccine for black-footed ferrets
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government