Black-tailed prairie dog
© Parks Canada / Johane Janelle

Spring
Prairie dogs are waking up and stretching out after their winter sleep – torpor. Rattlesnakes, bull snakes, garter snakes and the rare yellow-bellied racer will start to emerge from their winter den. The bison herd is often out of sight as it is calving season. However, the bulls may be spotted roaming every now and then.

Plains Bison Calf & herd
© Parks Canada / Maria Didkowsky

Summer
Prairie dogs are scurrying about their business and short-horned lizards are sunbathing on rocky slopes. It is mating season for the bison herd, and they are often looking for a place away from visitors for some “privacy.”

Long-billed Curlew in flight
© Robert Postma

Fall
Many prairie birds are starting their migration South. The prairie snakes are returning to their dens. A great time to try to spot the bison herd roaming in the park. With the hot summer days cooling down, more wildlife can be seen.

Winter Bison herd
© Alexendre Anctil

Winter
Although the prairie dog colonies look abandoned, there is more action going on in the park at this time of year. Herds of pronghorn antelope can be seen in the Frenchman River Valley, the coyotes look beautiful with their fur coats and deer are more active than ever before.