Black-Tailed Prairie Dog at the Calgary Zoo

These are some fun little creatures to watch; they are very playful and curious. They also tend to be a bit chubbier than the ones I have seen in the wild, and in doing more research, it is primarily because they don't have to experience food scarcity and can eat a more balanced and nutritious diet in the care of the zoo. They also burn fewer calories in their daily activities, as they don't have to forage over long distances and spend less time digging holes, running from predators, or maintaining burrows.