Prarie Dog

Cynomys ludovicianus
Black-tailed prarie dogs live in large underground "towns." These towns have seperate chambers for sleeping, storing food, and raising young.
Diet: plants, grasses, roots, seeds, insects
Habitat: short-grass praries
Weight: 1-3 lbs

Rachael's Notes

There are a lot of prarie dogs at the zoo- too many to count! The keepers are unsure how many live underground, because they breed freely. Every spring adorable baby prarie dogs can be seen playing and chasing geckos.
Where to spot them: The prarie dogs can always be seen eating or sleeping above ground.
Other animals: Because they are located in an open aviary, other birds such as snowy egrets and turkey vultures will sometimes perch above or in the prarie dog's town. Fortunately, they will never attack. The prarie dogs don't seem to mind the company. However, once in a while a prairie dog will be spooked by the taking off or landing of a bird overhead and will raise it's paws in the air and call out. The call might be repeated by other prarie dogs, but they all calm down fairly quickly.

Gallery

A prarie dog and a quail

A baby prarie dog