Dakota Reflections
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
Black-tailed Prairie Dogs
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 19, 2024
Black-tailed Prairie Dogs
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 19, 2024
Black-tailed Prairie Dogs
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 19, 2024