what to feed the burros in custer state park

by Dr. Easton Rohan Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What should you feed the begging burros at Custer State Park? Apples and carrots are a great choice. (We brought baby carrots to feed them and wish we had brought the larger full-size ones instead.) They also enjoy crackers and a wide variety of other foods. As it turns out though, the begging burros do not like rutabagas.

While Custer State Park officials recommend visitors not feed the burros anything, I can tell you from personal experience with these rascals that they'll basically eat anything, from turkey sandwiches and potato chips to any type of cracker, which evidently are among their favorite foods.Sep 13, 2018

Full Answer

What do you feed the donkeys in Custer State Park?

Visiting the Begging Burros in Custer State Park The burros are wild donkeys that live in a small section of Custer State Park along the road. They are called “begging burros” because they’ve become famous for approaching vehicles and expecting food. Many visitors bring crackers to feed them.

What are the burros in Custer State Park?

The burros are wild donkeys that live in a small section of Custer State Park along the road. They are called “begging burros” because they’ve become famous for approaching vehicles and expecting food. Many visitors bring crackers to feed them.

Is it OK to feed the Begging Burros of South Dakota?

Feeding the begging burros, or wild donkeys, of South Dakota’s Custer State Park. After a few minutes of this, it was getting old, and more vehicles had arrived eager to feed the animals, so we moved on. If you plan to visit, remember that it’s fine to feed the burros since this practice has been going on for years.

What do burros eat?

The burros aren’t very particular when it comes to consumption, and you’d never know from their eating habits that they survive primarily on prairie grasses.

What do you feed burros?

The most appropriate food for burros is dry pasture or a low-protein grass hay. If possible, avoid feeding burros alfalfa as the high protein levels can cause obesity. Avoid the temptation of using cheaper, poor quality hay that is not clean and fresh.

Can you feed the animals in Custer State Park?

Visiting the Begging Burros in Custer State Park Many visitors bring crackers to feed them. The issue of feeding wild animals usually gives me mixed feelings, but when I discovered that this practice isn't frowned upon by park officials, I purchased a box of crackers and headed off to find the burros.

Where can I feed my donkey in South Dakota?

Custer State ParkDuring our visit to South Dakota and all the major tourist traps I found this little jem. Custer State Park was not crowded and I found out you can bring carrots to feed the wandering Wild Donkeys.

Are there burros in Custer State Park?

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Custer State Park is known for a wide variety of animal life, even burros. They're better known as donkeys, and the park is selling a half a dozen of them. Whether they're licking your tires, or out about, you can find all kinds of animals at Custer State Park.

Are there bears in Custer State Park?

Bear Country you will definitely see animals elk, reindeer, mountain goats, sheep, coyotes, bears, bison, raccoons, badgers, porcupines, beavers, lynx, bobcats, fox, otters, grizzly bears, baby bears they are so adorable and some other animals. I have been to Bear Country and have thoroughly enjoyed it every time.

Do you need bear spray in Custer State Park?

If it keeps approaching, use bear spray. And always stay in your group. Custer State Park's Facebook post also states that the Conservation Officers are aware of the bear and expect that it will move on and won't stay in the area. For the next couple of day, remember to be BearWise when visiting the Custer State Park.

What is the best time to see animals at Custer State Park?

When to travel: The best time to view animals along the Wildlife Loop Road is early morning or late in the evening, just before sunset. The road is open year-round but does require careful driving during winter conditions.

Are there wild horses in Custer State Park?

The Custer State Park burros are feral. They were introduced into the area by humans and have reverted to a wild or semi-wild state.

Why are there donkeys in Custer State Park?

The wild burros trace their roots to a herd that once hauled visitors to the top of Harney Peak. Nine burros that are a favorite of visitors to South Dakota's Custer State Park have been burned in a wildfire, and it's not known whether all of them will survive, a park official said Saturday.

Are burros friendly?

If you luck out and run into some burros, keep in mind that they are wild animals that are naturally distrustful of humans. When approached, they will usually run but can bite and kick when they feel trapped or threatened. Therefore, it's best to observe them from a distance. Length: 2 miles one way.

How many bison are in Custer State Park?

1,400 bisonThe free roaming herd of nearly 1,400 bison at Custer State Park is one of the world's largest publicly owned bison herds.

Where is Bison in Custer State Park?

The Wildlife Loop Road is typically a great place to see Custer State Park buffalo, along with other wildlife such as deer, coyote and antelope. In 1914 when the park was known as Custer State Game Sanctuary, 36 bison were purchased to start the herd.

What happened to the begging burros?

The wildfire also endangered the begging burros which couldn’t get out of the way of the rapidly advancing flames. When the blaze was finally extinguished, park officials found all nine of their most popular residents had sustained injuries, ranging from dehydration and hoof damage to facial swelling and burns.

What animals dance in the breeze?

Certainly, it’s easy to be distracted by alpine lodges, barking prairie dogs, playful buffalo calves, soaring eagles and a medley of wildflowers dancing in the breeze alongside the roadway.

What is the name of the park in the Black Hills?

Special Friends: Custer State Park ’s Begging Burros Beckon You Back, Slobber and All. Among the most popular attractions in this million-acre pristine playground known as the Black Hills is Custer State Park , a 110-square-mile preserve that’s a world away from your regular day.

Where to see the Begging Burros and Bison in South Dakota?

Visiting the Begging Burros and Bison in South Dakota’s Custer State Park. It’s finally time to wrap up our focus on South Dakota for this month. Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse monument and the bighorn sheep in Badlands National Park were all interesting.

How many bison are there in Custer State Park?

Around 1,500 bison live in Custer State Park, and hundreds of them are gathered near the visitor center, causing frequent traffic jams and giving tourists an up-close look at them. Just don’t get too close! One other Custer State Park / Black Hills wildlife tip – we heard that there are also mountain goats in the area.

Why are burros called burros?

They are called “begging burros” because they’ve become famous for approaching vehicles and expecting food. Many visitors bring crackers to feed them.

Can you feed burros?

The rangers even acknowledge that it’s acceptable. Just don’t feed any of the other wildlife in the park!

What is the burro in Custer State Park?

One of the most prominent members of the wildlife community at South Dakota’s Custer State Park is the burro. This charismatic relative of the horse, long of ear and muzzle, might have been domesticated a continent away and established in the area only through human doing, but it now thrives in the park's tawny prairies and pine savannas.

Where do burros come from?

Burros--the name comes from the Spanish word for donkey, which is the same creature--most likely derive from the African wild ass, which survives in semi-arid scrub and grasslands of Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. Superficially similar to donkeys, these tough ungulates are well-suited to their severe, water-stressed environment.

What are the birds in the Badlands?

Hiking established trails or cross-country may reveal some of the Badlands’ bird community such as meadowlarks with their bold color and song, and the flashy black-billed magpie with their sweeping tails. Raptors including golden eagles, ferruginous hawks and great horned owls patrol for jackrabbits, prairie dogs and other game; some nest in the Badlands Wall. There is wildlife in every cranny of this rugged terrain, including frogs calling from wetlands, and prairie rattlesnakes prowling for rodents.

What are the animals that live in the Black Hills?

Other hoofed mammals commonly encountered in the park have a long association with the hills and Great Plains, most famously the bison, but also elk, pronghorn, mule and white-tailed deer.

What is the heaviest animal in the Great Plains?

Bison. A number of large mammal species range the Badlands, most notably the American bison--which is the iconic beast of the Great Plains and the heaviest land animal in North America. Herds may be glimpsed by hikers and drivers in many parts of the park, especially from the Sage Creek Rim Road.

What mammals are in the Great Plains?

Other hoofed mammals commonly encountered in the park have a long association with the hills and Great Plains, most famously the bison, but also elk, pronghorn, mule and white-tailed deer.

Can you see burros in South Dakota?

Spotting the burros is generally easier than seeing more elusive creatures like elk or coyotes. Because of their inquisitiveness and habituation to human feeding, the herds can be encountered right along the roads. The South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation stresses that visitors should be highly cautious around the begging burros, as any wild animal can be dangerous.

What are the best wildlife sightings in Custer State Park?

Buffalo Jams are the Best. One of the most common wildlife sightings along the Wildlife Loop is bison. Custer State Park is currently home to about 1400 bison. FUN FACT: Bison are often called American Buffalo (even though they are not really buffalo at all).

When were bison introduced to Custer State Park?

Always keep a safe distance from the bison (buffalo). Bison was first introduced to the park with the purchase of 36 bison in 1914, and their numbers had nearly tripled in ten years. An additional purchase of 60 more bison was made in 1951. The Custer State Park herds have continued to grow since then.

What are the animals that are on the Wildlife Loop?

While the bison are a major attraction on the Wildlife Loop, the begging burros are also very entertaining. The infamous “begging burros” are descendants of small donkeys once used as pack animals taking visitors from Sylvan Lake Lodge to a nearby peak summit.

How long is the Wildlife Loop drive?

You should expect this drive to take 1.5 – 2 hours. You can start your Wildlife Loop drive at the main Visitor Center. Or, you can pick it up near the park’s Blue Bell Entrance.

What time of day is the best time to drive the wildlife loop?

The best time to drive the Wildlife Loop is in the early morning or late evening. In general, wildlife is most active at dawn or dusk. Our family traveled the Wildlife Loop Road in the early afternoon (around 1pm), and we still found it to be a worthwhile adventure.

Do begging burros like rutabagas?

As it turns out though, the begging burros do not like rutabagas. The begging burros prefer carrots over rutabagas. A park ranger said that a visitor tried feeding them rutabagas the day before our visit, and the burros turned their noses up at the unappetizing root vegetable. I can’t say I blame them.

What kind of animals are in Custer State Park?

From bison to prairie dogs, you’ll see all kinds of animals in their natural habitat. If you take the Wildlife Loop Road, you’ll see another kind of wild animal, and it’s both quirky and charming.

How many square miles is Custer State Park?

Custer State Park is the crown jewel of South Dakota's park system. Encompassing more than 100 square miles, it's home to some of the state's most beautiful scenery. David L/Tripadvisor. Wildlife Loop Road winds its way through the park for 18 miles. It's a beautiful, scenic drive, and you're certain to see wildlife along the way.

Is a burro wild?

These burros are cute, but make no mistake: they're wild animals. Today's herd originated from pack mules used to climb the Harney Peak summit. Now they're feral, and even though they look goofy and precious, they can still be unpredictable. Ben Piven/flickr.

Can you travel Wildlife Loop Road without a wildlife jam?

In fact, it's unlikely that you'll travel Wildlife Loop Road without coming to a wildlife jam. Often, a pack of feral burros is to blame. These goofy, long-eared burros love to beg for food, and visitors are often happy to indulge them.