Description

About this prairie dog

Black-tailed prairie dogs are one of the most-watched animals in the Black Hills region. Visitors to Wind Cave National Park see them along the park road, and Scotts Bluff National Monument has two active prairie dog towns inside the monument boundary. Spend five minutes at any pullout near a town and you will hear the chirps, barks, and tail-flicks that make up one of the most complex vocal systems in the animal kingdom outside of humans.

Wild Republic’s 8″ prairie dog plush is from the Cuddlekins Mini line. It sits upright on its haunches the way a real prairie dog does at the mouth of its burrow, with soft tan plush, a pale belly, and a black-tipped tail. Wild Republic (based in Twinsburg, Ohio) has been making wildlife plush since 1979 and supplies plush to visitor centers, zoos, and nature stores across North America. Their Cuddlekins Mini fill is spun from recycled plastic water bottles, and every plush exceeds CPSIA and EN71 toy safety standards.

What’s included

• 8″ prairie dog stuffed animal (Wild Republic Cuddlekins Mini, item #11474)
• Hang tag with Wild Republic branding and interpretive info

Specifications

• Size: 8″ (sitting pose)
• Dimensions: 8″ x 5″ x 4″
• Weight: 4.8 oz (with hang tag)
• Material: Soft plush exterior (polyester) with fill spun from recycled water bottles
• Care: Surface wash with a damp cloth and mild soap; air dry; do not machine wash
• Age recommendation: All ages (Wild Republic)
• Safety: Exceeds CPSIA (US) and EN71 (EU) toy safety standards
• Brand: Wild Republic (Cuddlekins Mini)
• Manufacturer item number: 11474
• UPC: 0092389114744

Who is this for?

Kids who saw a prairie dog town on a Black Hills visit and want to take one home. The 8″ size fits in a daypack or on a car-seat armrest, and the pose is immediately recognizable as a prairie dog rather than a generic rodent.

Park visitors who want a souvenir that connects to something they actually saw. Prairie dogs are a reliable wildlife sighting at Scotts Bluff and Wind Cave in a way that bison, elk, and ferrets are not always.

Gift buyers. Prairie dogs have a dedicated following. Anyone who lights up at a prairie dog town (adults included) is a good recipient for this plush.

About prairie dogs at BHPFA parks

Black-tailed prairie dogs are a keystone species on the northern Great Plains. Their grazing and burrowing shapes the grassland around them, creating habitat for burrowing owls, ferruginous hawks, and (most critically) the endangered black-footed ferret, which preys almost exclusively on prairie dogs and raises its young in prairie dog burrows. Wind Cave National Park is an active black-footed ferret reintroduction site, and the ferret population there depends on the park’s prairie dog colonies.

Scotts Bluff National Monument has two active prairie dog towns within the monument boundary. Wind Cave National Park has colonies along the park road, and the park’s mixed-grass prairie supports several large towns that are visible from designated pullouts. Prairie dogs are year-round residents but are most active on warm mornings.

How to care for it

Surface wash only. Wipe with a damp cloth and a small amount of mild soap if needed. Air dry. Do not machine wash and do not submerge in water. When dry, brush gently to restore the plush.

Frequently asked questions

How big is this plush?
8 inches tall in a sitting pose. Dimensions are 8″ x 5″ x 4″ and it weighs 4.8 oz with the hang tag. Small enough to travel but substantial enough to feel like a real toy, not a keychain plush.

What age is this appropriate for?
Recommended for all ages per Wild Republic. The plush exceeds CPSIA (US) and EN71 (EU) toy safety standards. Adult supervision is advised with children under 3 as with any plush that has small sewn details.

Is the fill recycled?
Yes. The Cuddlekins Mini line uses fill spun from recycled plastic water bottles, a standard across Wild Republic’s plush.

Does buying this support the parks?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.

Can I see real prairie dogs at BHPFA parks?
Yes. Scotts Bluff National Monument has two active prairie dog towns inside the monument. Wind Cave National Park has colonies visible from pullouts along the park road. The best viewing is on warm mornings when the animals are most active.

Why do prairie dogs matter to black-footed ferrets?
Black-footed ferrets, one of North America’s most endangered mammals, prey almost exclusively on prairie dogs and raise their young in prairie dog burrows. Wind Cave National Park is an active reintroduction site for the species. No prairie dogs, no ferrets: protecting prairie dog colonies is how the ferret comes back.

How do I clean it?
Surface wash only. Use a damp cloth and mild soap for spots; air dry. Do not machine wash.

Are there other wildlife plush at the BHPFA store?
Yes. The store carries plush for bison, bighorn sheep, black-footed ferret, and bald eagle, plus a prairie dog plush backpack for kids.

What is the difference between this and the prairie dog plush backpack?
This is a standalone plush animal at $13.99. The prairie dog plush backpack ($19.99) is a larger plush with a zippered pouch and adjustable straps that a kid can wear. Same animal, different purpose.

Where is this sold?
Online at blackhillsparks.org and in BHPFA gift shops at Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.