A young Black-Tailed Prairie Dog pup comes out of his burrow to explore. Female prairie dogs have litters of 2-8 pups and they are usually born between January and April.
Prairie Dog Pup Explores
Category Archives: rodent
Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys lucovicianus)
- Social rodent native to the western area of North America
- Measure about 15 inches (38 cm) in length and weigh about 3 pounds (1.4 kg)
- Live in communities with other prairie dogs
- Use a sophisticated system of vocal communication to warn of specific predators
- Do not hibernate and are diurnal
- Diet consists of green vegetation and occasional insects
- Homes are deep burrows which are bedded with leaves and grass
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
Capybara
Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)
- The largest rodent in the world and can weigh up to 100 pounds (45 kg)
- Native to South America
- Lives in groups of 10-20
- Eats grasses and aquatic plants
- Lifespan is about 4 years in the wild
- Sometimes called “Water Hogs” because of their great swimming ability
- Can remain underwater for several minutes
- Conservation Status (IUCN): Least Concern