Here’s The Story Behind The Giant Prairie Dog In South Dakota

Have YOU ever seen the world's largest prairie dog? Sure, others may think they have seen this spectacular specimen, but only South Dakotans and our guests have experienced this - err, oddity - for real. But why a giant prairie dog? Where did it come from? We have all of the answers via the story behind the giant prairie dog statue in South Dakota!

Welcome to the Badlands Ranch Store, home of the six-ton Prairie Dog!

Sitting pretty in the parking lot, the Giant Prairie Dog stands at a whopping 12-feet tall and features eye-catching pink and yellow hues.

It's claimed to be the world's largest prairie dog - and we don't see any challengers lining up!

Why a giant prairie dog? The Badlands Ranch Store sits right beside a prairie dog colony, where guests can walk around and feed peanuts to these furry critters.

In addition to the real-life and larger-than-life rodents, the Badlands Ranch Store offers $.50 peanuts to feed the animals, plus tons of South Dakota gifts, prairie dog merchandise, shirts, and more.

To learn more about the giant prairie dog, living and breathing prairie dogs, and the historic store, please visit the Badlands Ranch Store's website.

The Badlands Ranch Store is open every day from late May through mid-September from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Please note: While the Badlands Ranch Store is only open seasonally, the giant prairie dog and its living, breathing counterparts can be visited year-round.

Have you visited this giant prairie dog statue in South Dakota? Do you have a favorite attraction, event, or restaurant that you would like to see featured here on OnlyInSouthDakota? Tell us all about it! For even more to see and do around the area, you will want to check out - or check into - the most famous hotel in South Dakota that is also one of the most historic places you will ever sleep.