| Location: |
South Dakota, Wind Cave National Park South Dakota, Cactus Flat, The Ranch Store |
| Date: |
2010JUN02 (Wind Cave), 2010JUN01 and 2010JUN05 (Cactus Flat) |
| Observer: |
Peter Leitheiser |
| Summary: |
Black tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) pups. |
Note: At The Ranch Store, where tourists feed the prairie dogs peanuts, the animals are very well habituated. And not unexpectedly fatter than the prairie dogs in natural settings, such as those in Wind Cave National Park.
The Black-tailed prairie dog young first emerge from the burrow when they are some six weeks of age (Hoogland, 1996, p. 4).
They were curious enough to let me get close, if I didn't make any sudden movements.
At this age, their diet is largely vegetable,
but they still get a little help from mama (Hoogland, 1996, p. 4).
Once the young emerge, other prairie dogs seem to cooperate to raise the young. This female decided it was "bath time" for the pups and, although not nursing pups herself, proceeded to wash any that ventured her way.
The adults also keep watch while the young forage and play.
And put up with their games.
Even when they get older, some of the females may remain in the area they were born their whole life. The males usually find new homes.
Report and Photos by Peter Leitheiser