Prairie Dogs



Black-tailed prairie dogs are affectionate burrowing dwelling rodents once commonly seen in the grasslands and prairies of the Western United States.  They lived in family groups and greet each other by a prairie dog kiss or nuzzle.  Their burrows are intricate enginneering feats resulting in a many room structure with listening rooms, bedrooms, food caches, nursery room and toilet rooms.   

Prairie Dog Fun Facts

  • They are named after the warning sound they make which sounds like a dog's bark
  • Prairie dogs primarily eat grasses and seeds and occasionally insects
  • Prairie dog burrows can be 33 feet long and 10 feet deep
  • They weigh between 2 and 4 pounds and live 3 to 4 years in the wild
  • The largest prairie dog town ever recorded was one in Texas encompassing 25,000 square miles and as many as 400,000,000 prairie dogs
  • Prairie dog families are called coteries and consist of a male and several breeding females and their pups


Alarm!


2019 Photographs


Give Me Five!


These young Black-tailed Prairie Dogs were photographed in Theodore Roosevelt National Park as they playfully tussled.  The one on the right was leaping into the air!  Black-tailed Prairie Dogs have an average of 3 to 5 babies each year.  The babies stay underground for 7 weeks after birth.  They open their eyes at 30 days of age.  These babies have emerged from the ground and are no longer totally dependent on their parents.  They are able to feed on the nearby vegetation.  They also like to play!




2020 Photographs


Two-fisted Eating!


Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 10, 2020



Hey Dad, Who is that Old Guy with a Camera?


Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 10, 2020



Doesn't he have anything Better to Do than Take our Photos?


Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 10, 2020



I Love you Dad!


Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 10, 2020



Standing Together!


Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 10, 2020



Is is Safe Out There?


Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 10, 2020



Nummy!


Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 10, 2020



Family!


Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 10, 2020



Family!


Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 10, 2020



Buddies!


Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 11, 2020



Cuddling!


Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 11, 2020



Eyes Aligned!


Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 12, 2020



Best Friends!


Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 12, 2020



Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 14, 2020



Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 14, 2020



Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 14, 2020



Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 20, 2020



Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 20, 2020



Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 20, 2020



Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 20, 2020



Getting a Bath!


Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

June 20, 2020



2022 Photographs


Together!


Black-tailed Prairie Dogs  

 Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota


Photo of the Day- May 16, 2022





Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

July 9, 2022