It isn’t often I take pics of these little guys although they are quite common and a little bit cute.
Right now, like many mammals, they are busily raising their spring babies which add an additional dose of cuteness. While I am oftentimes dismissive of these creatures and many people think nothing about wiping out their colonies in the name of “progress,” they play a significant role in the ecosystem.
As a keystone species, many other animals are dependent on the prairie dog. Most notably, raptors and many meat-eating mammals require them for food and burrowing owls depend on them for their summer homes.
