Prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)

This small mammal native to the western United States has been brought to Florida as part of the pet trade. Most sightings of these animals are likely released or escaped pets that do not persist long in the wild. Repeated sightings in the 1970s at Miami Airport are the only suggestion that a breeding population ever existed in Florida. Animals seen in Bay County were black-tailed prairie dogs, and it is assumed that any prairie dogs seen in Florida are of this common species, although other species are possible.