Prairie Dog

Name: Black-tailed Prairie Dog
Scientific Name: Cynomys ludovicianus

Basic Information:
Windaroo Zoo has imported a group of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs from the Untied States. They are indigenous to the plains of North America. There were once the most abundant prairie dog species until much of their habitat was destroyed over the past century.

One reason we chose the Black-tailed species is that they do not hibernate. You will find them scurrying around all year long unlike some other species. Speaking of scurrying, Prairie dogs are mammals (rodents specifically) found in the family sciuridae. They are usually tan to blend in with the dirt and can grow to about 1.5 kg. They also have small ears and excellent hearing and vision.

Although we have a small group at WIndaroo, there are stories of a prairie dog town in Texas, U.S. that had 400 million dogs. Imagine that!

Habitat Information:
Prairie and Steppe - Generally distinguished by the type of plants covering the ground, prairie habitats have taller grasses while steppe habitats have shorter grass. Both habitats have a wide variety of plants and animals, as well as insects, to be seen at Windaroo Zoo.

Prairie Dogs at Windaroo:
We love our prairie dog town at Windaroo. They are always a great source of amusement for our younger visitors. In keeping with a theme, You will find them near the Meerkat enclosure.

Related Animals:
Bee
Caracal
Dhole
A-Z Animal List