Animals in Wisconsin

Wisconsin, the upper-midwestern US state, is famous for its dairy production, earning the nickname ‘Dairy Land.’ The state is also renowned for its striking natural beauty and varied topography, providing ample outdoor activity opportunities. Bordered by the Montreal River and Lake Superior in the north and Lake Michigan in the east, most of the state is covered in fertile plains, dense forests, and numerous freshwater lakes. In fact, the 15,000 lakes in the state make it a heaven for fishing.

The varied habitat allows the state to host rich native wildlife with places like the  Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and Natural Bridge State Park, allowing visitors to get closer to these wild inhabitants.

Animals in Wisconsin (WI)

List of Different Types of Animals Found in Wisconsin 

Mammals

Some species, like the American bison, and spotted skunk, has been extirpated.

Birds

Reptiles

Amphibians

Fishes

  • Largemouth Bass
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Rock Bass
  • White Bass
  • Northern Pike
  • Walleye
  • Muskellunge
  • Channel Catfish
  • Flathead Catfish
  • Blue Catfish
  • Yellow Perch
  • Black Crappie
  • White Crappie
  • Pumpkinseed 
  • Bluegill 
  • Green Sunfish
  • Redear Sunfish
  • Brook Trout
  • Brown Trout
  • Rainbow Trout
  • Lake Trout
  • White Sucker
  • Golden Shiner
  • Black Bullhead
  • Brown Bullhead
  • Yellow Bullhead
  • Lake Sturgeon
  • Freshwater Drum

Insects and Invertebrates

  • Painted Lady Butterfly
  • Black Swallowtail Butterfly
  • Monarch Butterfly
  • Honey Bee
  • Bumble Bee
  • Ladybug
  • Carpenter Ant
  • Firefly
  • Mosquito
  • Common Housefly
  • Spur-throated Grasshopper
  • Spangled Skimmer
  • House Cricket
  • Paper Wasp
  • Bald-faced Hornet
  • Carpenter Bee
  • Boxelder Bug
  • Mayfly
  • Luna Moth
  • Walking Stick Insect
  • Silverfish
  • Northern Black Widow
  • Brown Recluse
  • Bold Jumper
Wisconsin State Animals

State Animals of Wisconsin

State AnimalAmerican Badger
State Wildlife AnimalWhite-tailed deer
State Domestic AnimalDairy Cow
State BirdAmerican Robin
State FishMuskellunge
State InsectWestern Honey Bee
State DogAmerican Water Spaniel

FAQ

What are the most dangerous animals in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is home to the common deadly animals in most of the US, including predators like black bears, coyotes, and gray wolves. There are 2 venomous snakes – the Massasauga and timber rattlesnake, with the deadly black widow also being a state resident.

What are the rarest animals in Wisconsin?

There are quite a few animals that are considered threatened or endangered in the state of Wisconsin, making them reasonably rare to spot in the wild. These include the Massasauga rattlesnake, upland sandpiper, whooping crane, wood turtle, Blanchard’s cricket frog, and Karner blue butterfly.

Are there any invasive animals in Wisconsin?

Emerald ash borer and Asian longhorn beetle are two of the most common invasive insects affecting the local ecosystem. Like in the rest of the country, different types of carp living in the state’s waters are also invasive. Feral pigs are an example of invasive mammals.

Are there any animals only found in Wisconsin?

Though the state hosts a rich flora and fauna, no animals are endemic to Wisconsin. It means all the state’s native animals can be found elsewhere in the country and, in some cases, the world.

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