They have short strong legs, a short furry tail and protruding ears. They have the appearance of a yellowish-brown body with a distinctive black mask across the face, and black on the feet and on the tip of their tails. In fact the basic fur is white, but the ends of the long hairs on the back are brown giving the animal an overall creamy appearance. Their winter coat is short, glossy and silky. Their summer coat is thin but colorful.
Females are about ten per cent smaller than males.
If you wish to follow the exciting story about how this most endangered species has been barely saved from extinction, we are providing several links below for your further research and exploration. Many organizations, scientists and volunteers are working together to establish a former habitat with free-ranging populations of breeding animals. The illustration is provided by Jim Thomas. This beautiful little carnivore seems to be on the way back from the edge of extinction. Numbering less than 50 just a few years ago, captive breeding programs conducted by several state and federal wildlife agencies and zoos, have enabled reintroduction attempts in numerous localities with suitable habitat - prairie dog colonies.