A zoo welcomed a new generation of black-tailed prairie dogs in Vienna, Austria.

Zookeepers introduced the litter of pups, which were born in April, in an underground burrow at the Schonbrunn Zoo.

The young animals recently emerged to explore their surroundings, delighting zoo visitors with their playful antics.

Zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck said: 'Black-tailed prairie dogs get their name from the distinctive black tip of their tail. This is also very clearly visible in the offspring.'

Zoo authorities said the prairie dogs shed their fur twice a year, adding visitors need not be alarmed by the animals' dishevelled appearance during the transition.

Folko Balfanz, zoological department head at the Schonbrunn Zoo, said: 'The animals can look a little ragged. Visitors don't have to be worried.'

Addressing common misconceptions, Balfanz distinguished between prairie dogs and meerkats, highlighting their differing habitats, diets, and behaviours.

While meerkats are native to Africa and primarily insectivorous predators, prairie dogs inhabit North America, subsisting mainly on plant matter.

Despite these disparities, both species can stand upright - a behaviour essential for scanning the surroundings for potential threats.