Late last fall in Grasslands National Park...
Not just another gopher...the black-tailed prairie dog is exclusive to this small part of the southern prairies.
They are about twice the size of a regular gopher (Richardson's Ground Squirrel) and have a distinctive black tail.
Most of the colony's members were in their burrows during my visit but this guy/girl was still active (and keeping an eye on me). Whenever I got too close he (or she) would scoot into the burrow opening.
That looks like a nice fur coat for the winter.
The black tail blends in well with the soil.
Always fun to watch the wildlife.
Photographed near Val Marie, Saskatchewan on November 19, 2021.
Prairie Dogs are a lot bigger and chunkier than gophers, at least the ones I've seen. Fun to watch them!
ReplyDeleteThey make great little squeaky sounds too.
DeleteNice. I have been meaning to visit this place.
ReplyDeleteI think one would need the better part of a summer day to see all of the park. It's a big place.
DeleteVery different from what we have here...more commonly known as 'groundhogs'.
ReplyDeleteThey are a species of ground squirrel.
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