When visiting the Dakotas, there are a few animals on everyone’s list to see – naturally. I was, of course, hoping to see American bison and pronghorn antelope. But just as much so, or maybe more, was I hoping for those round, fuzzy, adorable residents of the grasslands: prairie dogs. I wasn’t overly confident that we’d spot them; they’re so small and the prairie is so big. But I wasn’t reckoning on Prairie Dog Metropolis.

Prairie Dog Metropolis is exactly what it sounds like – a veritable city of the prairie’s cutest residents. Right off a main artery through Theodore Roosevelt National Park, there is a stretch of grassland that is dotted with hundreds of prairie dog burrows. I can only imagine the complex network of tunnels under the grass.

We pulled the car over and hopped out, being careful not to actually get close to any prairie dogs (in addition to not wanting to disturb them… they bite). But thanks to my wildlife camera and its ridiculous zoom, I got plenty of closeups. I’ll let (a few of) the many pictures speak for themselves.

I mean. You must be kidding me, right? They were so adorable.

Cuuuuuuuuuuuuute. Sorry I have no tips or interesting facts to share, just LOOK AT THAT NOSE!

Now, for the really important question. Who do I need to talk to, to get an apartment in Prairie Dog Metropolis?

Next week: we take in the biggest cultural spectacle in Medora.