23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Prairie Dog Barking

At Custer State Park, prairie dogs live in burrows in prairie dog "towns." When a potential threat (or photographer) approaches, prairie dogs bark to alert each other. This prairie dog was doing just that at the entrance to a burrow, so it could make a quick retreat, if necessary.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Near Custer, South Dakota, United States of America
Camera: NIKON Z 8
Copyright: © Denneen Peterson