BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — After weeks of staying snug in their underground burrows, black-tailed prairie pups have emerged at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, according to a release from the zoo on Thursday.
The Beardsley Zoo is the only zoo in the state and is over 100 years old; it features 350 animals primarily from North and South America and North Asia, but this week, it was the prairie dog pups who stole the show.
The prairie dog pups are found in the zoo’s prairie dog habitat and are ready to “charm visitors with their playful antics and curious nature,” according to the release.
Beardsley Zoo Director Gregg Dancho said in the release that the arrival of the prairie dog pups makes it an exciting time for everyone affiliated with the zoo.
“Our guests love seeing the new pups as they emerge to interact with the adults. They bring so much energy to the habitat, and visitors of all ages have fun watching and learning,” Dancho said, in the release.
The prairie dog exhibit is still under construction, but guests can witness the animals as they come up out of their burrows to explore. The release said the black-tailed prairie dog pups are known for their distinctive, black-tipped tails and playful behavior.
The pups live in an intricate network of underground burrows called “towns” that they share with their family groups, the release said, adding that prairie dogs are very social and communicate using a series of chirps, yips, and barking calls.
While viewing the new pups, guests can learn about the significant role prairie dogs play in their ecosystem, as the small mammals are keystone species, meaning that they have a major impact on their environment, according to the release.
The burrows the prairie dogs make become homes for other animals, and their grazing habits help keep the prairie healthy, the release said. The zoo will cut the ribbon on its new prairie dog exhibit soon.
The nonprofit zoo also showcases an Andean bear, maned wolves, Mexican gray wolves, and red wolves, as well as a Spider Monkey Habitat and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and participates in its Species Survival Plan programs. The release said the zoo is committed to the preservation of endangered animals and wild habitats.
The zoo is open each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. To learn more about the zoo’s newest arrivals, and to stay updated on all zoo news, one can click here.
----
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
