Located in the North Central United States, South Dakota features rich grasslands and prairie habitats as part of the Great Plains region. The Black Hills mark the southwestern side of the state, where the famous Mount Rushmore is located.
Hundreds of amazing animals are native to the state, thanks to the different types of habitats it offers. Wildlife-watching spots like the Badlands National Park, Black Hills National Forest, and Custer State Park attract animal enthusiasts from summer to fall every year.
List of Different Types of Animals Found in South Dakota
The state used to be home to grizzly bear and gray wolf, but their populations have been extirpated. The American bison and black-footed ferrets have been reintroduced to the state, and have steady populations now.
The deadliest animals in South Dakota include large carnivores like black bears and cougars, while the venomous prairie rattlesnakes, black widows, and brown recluses are no less dangerous. White-tailed deer, bison, and elk can also become aggressive if provoked.
Northern long-eared bat, piping plover, red knot, whooping crane, and American burying beetle are the most notable species considered endangered in the state.
