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Wildlife in South Dakota

Here’s what naturalists are spotting in South Dakota right now - pulled live from recent research-grade observations. Browse by group, explore the map, and identify what you find with Huck.

36,945
recent observations
30
species listed
7
mammals
10
plants
5
birds

Naturalists have logged 36,945 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in South Dakota. The most frequently seen is the American Bison, with 3,380 recorded sightings.

Mammals account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (7 of the species listed here), followed by plants (10).

🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species in South Dakota

American Bison
Bos bison
3,380 observations · iNaturalist
Black-tailed Prairie Dog
Cynomys ludovicianus
2,830 observations
Bighorn Sheep
Ovis canadensis
2,194 observations
Pronghorn
Antilocapra americana
1,970 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
1,307 observations
Hoary Vervain
Verbena stricta
1,247 observations
Plain Pocketbook
Lampsilis cardium
1,233 observations · iNaturalist
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
1,166 observations
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
1,159 observations
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
1,136 observations
Three-ridge Mussel
Amblema plicata
1,125 observations · iNaturalist
Great Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
1,097 observations
Leadplant
Amorpha canescens
1,070 observations
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
1,009 observations
Fatmucket
Lampsilis siliquoidea
995 observations · iNaturalist
Rocky Mountains Ponderosa Pine
Pinus scopulorum
994 observations · iNaturalist
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
991 observations
Plains Pricklypear
Opuntia polyacantha
989 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
978 observations
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
978 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
947 observations
Great Plains Yucca
Yucca glauca
945 observations
Upright Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
943 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
942 observations
Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta
941 observations
Least Chipmunk
Neotamias minimus
896 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
884 observations
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
874 observations
Northern Leopard Frog
Lithobates pipiens
865 observations
Scarlet Globemallow
Sphaeralcea coccinea
860 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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