Mammals

Black-tailed Prairie-dog Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed prairie dogs, named for their black-tipped tails and dog-like “bark,” once lived throughout the Great Plains in “towns” that extended for miles and contained hundreds of thousands of individuals. Current dog towns seldom exceed 100 acres due to changes in land use and poisoning. They excavate a complex underground system…

Pronghorn Antelope family.All photos by Bob Gress Common Name: Pronghorn Scientific Name: Antilocapra americana Favorite Hobby: racing cars   The most characteristic large mammal of the Great Plains is the Pronghorn.  While most people would associate the prairie with the American Bison, it had subspecies which were adapted to the woodland habitats of eastern North America…

Photo by Bob Gress Common Name: American Bison Scientific Name: Bos bison Least favorite century: The 1800’s   The most abundant grazing animal in North America was formerly the American Bison.  One estimate of the original number of bison in North America ranged as high as 70 million animals.  A single herd located southwest of…

Photo by Bob Gress Common Name: Beaver Scientific Name: Castor canadensis Motto: “Our bite is the source of our bark.” “Busy as a beaver,” goes the old saying, and that is especially true come autumn. Beaver modify their environment for their own purposes more than any other animal except man. Under their direction, a small stream flowing…

Photo by Bob Gress Common Name: Fox Squirrel Scientific Name: Sciurus niger Favorite Hang-out: Walnut trees   Only one species of tree squirrel makes a living on the Great Plains, and that is the Fox Squirrel.   It is named for its rufous-colored fur.  Its range covers the eastern half of the United States except New England.  Introduced populations…