In August 2020 we welcomed a new herd of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs to the Park. They are an important species that benefit 150 other species as they are a food source for many and a lot of other species use their burrows as homes.
Habitat: They come from the grasslands of central and western North America.
Population: According to the IUCN Red List, the total Black-tailed prairie dog population size is around 18,420,000 individuals. Currently this species is classified as Least Concern (LC), but their numbers today are decreasing.
Lifespan: Black-tailed Prairie Dogs can live between 3 and 5 years.
Diet: They mainly feed on grasses, sedges, roots, flowering plants and seeds.
Behaviour: They have a complex communication system which includes a variety of pitched warning barks.
