Number of prairie pups that recently emerged from their burrows at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston. The tiny additions were probably born around April 1 but did not see the light until recently, Zoo New England said in a statement. Prairie dogs are born blind and hairless, so they do not leave their burrows until they are about 6 weeks old. Despite their name, the short-grass prairie dwellers native to western North America are not related to dogs. The zoo describes the animals as small, stout rodents with tan coloring and a light-colored belly. Most visitors have a different word describing them: adorable.

Michael Bailey can be reached at michael.bailey@globe.com