Whether you love them or hate them, it looks like the Richardson Ground Squirrels, more commonly known as DakRats, are here to stay. Not to be confused with the much larger Prairie Dog, DakRats are much smaller in size reaching only seven to nine inches in length. Their arrival on Minot AFB this spring has been anything but peaceful as they have been causing commotion all over the base. Between the garage surfing, taunting house pets, and digging holes throughout the base, these creatures have become a menace once again.
The DakRat is a long-term resident of Minot AFB. They usually start popping up from their underground burrows in the early months of spring, but by summer there are often hundreds scattered around the base. Over the last few weeks, the DakRat population has increased exponentially as they are coming up from a long winters’ hibernation underground in search of food and fun. The reproductive cycle of the DakRat starts in the spring, and it takes about 23 days for a new batch of newborns to start making their migration around the base once the mating season has started.
The DakRat is an omnivore, but if you keep your eye out, sometimes you’ll catch one deciding to be on a more cannibalistic diet. DakRats have also been known for opportunistic cannibalisms, often eating other animals or even each other. Often times, this results from animals that have been run over in traffic. Even though they prefer to eat nuts, plant life, or grain, Dana Berger, a resident on Minot AFB, said she found one in her garage chewing up her brand-new foam pad for the lake. It seems like these creatures really do not care what they are eating as long as they are eating something.
The Minot AFB community has been very open on their opinions on the DakRats. One resident, Ms. Jessica Pfouts said, “Just this week they chewed through the cords under the medical group. They broke the electrical wires for the clinic and the lights in the parking lot.” A few of our other residents spoke out saying their cats and dogs go on “Watch” waiting for their chance to pounce on the unwelcome inhabitants. There are even a few residents who have claimed to be fearful of the creatures. Ms. Vonica Oliva commented, “I was more afraid of it than it was of me.” It seems like there are a plethora of opinions on these creatures. Ms. Odalis Jones Martinez even mentioned how her husband wanted to keep one as a pet after their cat had brought a still alive DakRat inside!
The Richardson Ground Squirrel, or DakRat, has undoubtedly become a fixture at Minot AFB, sparking a wide range of emotions from residents. While some see them as a nuisance, chewing through wires, invading garages, and taunting pets, others find humor or even affection for these persistent creatures. Regardless of personal opinions, it’s clear that the DakRat’s presence is deeply woven into the fabric of life at Minot AFB, and as long as these little animals continue to thrive, they will remain a unique, if sometimes frustrating, part of the community’s story. Whether they are loved, loathed, or simply tolerated, the DakRat will likely continue to make its mark for years to come, forever associated with the quirks of life in North Dakota.
