Objective To analyze the role of self-dead rodents in monitoring the Meriones unguiculatus natural foci of plague, and to provide guidance for the surveillance and early warning of animal plague. Methods The data and information collected during 2001 to 2010 from all monitoring sites of M. unguiculatus plague foci in the counties and districts of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region were analyzed. The survey of nocturnal rodents and gerbils used the 5-meter clamp method and the pit-and-clip method, respectively. Results From 2001 to 2010, a total of 8675 wild rats were captured, belonging to 5 families, 7 genera, and 15 species, with M. unguiculatus and M. libycus being the predominant species. There were four annual animal plague epidemics within the 10-year period. The detection rate of bacteria in self-dead rodents was 61.54%, compared with 2.31/10 000 in the captured rodents. The database of M. unguiculatus plague foci in Ningxia from 2001 to 2010 was established based on those information. Conclusion Emergence of self-dead rodents in M. unguiculatus plague foci is an early sign of animal plague epidemic.