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During the height of the summer season, come celebrate black-tailed prairie dogs, August 1 - 3. You’ll find them socializing out on the town on the Northern Trail. Their habitat is more than meets the eye. Underground, they’ve got a big house on the prairie. Meet there for a Prairie Dog and Bison Keeper Chat daily at 3:30 p.m. and ask your questions about the colony. Plus, pups are here! Several prairie dog babies were born underground this summer. Also called kits, they were born hairless and helpless. Once they reach 6 weeks of age, they emerge above ground but stick close to their immediate family. Watch for them popping out of the burrows; they’re noticeably smaller than the adults. On Sunday, August 3, meet educators inside the main entrance to get to know prairie dogs’ big neighbor: the American bison. Learn how the bison is a keystone species, see bison bones and a pelt, and hear how the Zoo is working to restore bison herds to where they once roamed. Be sure to look for two bison calves among the herd. They were born June 1 and July 4 and are among the newest members of Minnesota's Bison Conservation Herd. Together with the Minnesota DNR and other partners, we manage a joint herd of American plains bison at a number of sites, including the Zoo and state parks. Zoo staff coordinate the genetic testing and pedigree tracking of the bison to ensure the health and long-term viability of the herd.
