White-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys leucurus) is in the Squirrels family (Sciuridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,190 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph White-tailed Prairie Dog: observations by month (U.S.)
About White-tailed Prairie Dog
The white-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys leucurus) is found in western Wyoming and western Colorado with small areas in eastern Utah and southern Montana. The largest populations are in Wyoming where they are known colloquially as "chiselers". This prairie dog species lives at an elevation between 5,000 and 10,000 feet, generally a higher elevation than other prairie dog species. Its predators include black-footed ferrets, badgers, and golden eagles.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
White-tailed Prairie Dog by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 451 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Colorado | 434 | June | Apr–Sep |
| Utah | 298 | May | May–Aug |
| Montana | 7 | July | Jul–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Squirrels)
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk
California Ground Squirrel
Groundhog
American Red Squirrel
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Western Gray Squirrel
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph White-tailed Prairie Dog?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from April to September.
Where is White-tailed Prairie Dog most often seen?
The most observations come from Wyoming, Colorado, Utah.