Bison
Mammals
Common Name Scientific Name Remarks
Insectivores
Hayden's Shrew Sorex haydeni Common in park riparian areas
Marriam Shrew Sorex merriami No recorded observation; possible to occur
Dwarf Shrew Sorex nanus No recorded observation; likely to occur
Least Shrew Cryptotis parva Rare in park grasslands
Bats
Little Brown Myotis Myotis lucifugus Common in the park
Western Small-footed Myotis Myotis ciliolabrum Rare in park
Long-legged Myotis Myotis volans Uncommon in park
Northern Myotis Myotis septentrionalis No recorded observation in park, possible to occur
Long-eared Myotis Myotis evotis Rare in park
Fringe-tailed Myotis Myotis thysanodes Uncommon in park
more information...
Townsend's Big-eared Bat Corynorhinus townsendi Uncommon in park
Eastern Red Bat Lasiurus borealis Rare in park
Hoary Bat Lasiurus cinereus Uncommon in park
Silver-haired Bat Lasionycteris noctivarans Uncommon in park
Big Brown Bat Eptesicus fuscus Uncommon in park
Carnivores
Black Bear Ursus americanus Extirpated from park, 1968 last in Black Hills
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Grizzly Bear Ursus horribilis Extirpated from park, 1894 last in Black Hills
Common Raccoon Procyon lotor Occasionally seen in the park
Least Weasel Mutela nivalis No recorded observation; possible to occur
Ermine Mustela erminea Occasionally seen in park
Longtail Weasel Mustela frenata Rare in park
Black-footed Ferret Mustela nigripes Extirpated from park, last observed 1971
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Mink Mustela vison No recorded observation; possible to occur
Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis Occasionally seen in park
Eastern Spotted Skunk Spilogale putorius Rare in park; last observed in 1951
American Badger Taxidae taxus Occasionally seen in prairie dog towns
Coyote Canis latrans Common in park
Grey Wolf Canis lupus Extirpated from park; 1934 last in Black Hills
more information...
American Marten Martes americana No recorded observation; do not occur in park
more information...
Swift Fox Vulpes velox No recorded observation; unlikely to occur
more information...
Common Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus No recorded observation; unlikely to occur
Red Fox Vulpes vulpes No recorded observation; possible to occur
Mountain Lion Felis concolor Occasionally seen in park
more information...
Bobcat Felis rufus Uncommon in park; rarely observed
Rodents
Yellowbelly Marmot Marmota flaviventrus Occasional sightings in rocky areas
Black-tailed Prairie Dog Cynomys ludovicianus Abundant in park
Least Chipmunk Tamias minimus Common in rocky outcrops and near dead snags
Red Squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Common in park woodlands
Eastern Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger No recorded observation; possible to occur
Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel Spermophilus tridencemlineatus Frequently seen near prairie dog towns
Northern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus Uncommon in park; rarely observed
Northern Pocket Golpher Thomomys talpoides Common in park grasslands
Olive-backed PocketMouse Perognathus fasciatus Rare in park grasslands
Silky Pocket Mouse Perognathus flavus No recorded observation; possible to occur
Hispid Pocket Mouse Chaetodipus hispidus Rare in park; arid and rocky habitats
Ord's Kangaroo Rat Dipodomys ordi No recorded observation; possible to occur
American Beaver Castor canadensis No recorded observation; possible to occur
Plains Harvest Mouse Reithrodontomys montanus No recorded observation; possible to occur
Western Harvest Mouse Reithrodontomys megalotis Uncommon in park grasslands
Deer Mouse Peromyscus maniculatus Abundant throughout the park
White-footed Mouse Peromyscus leucopus Abundant in moist draws and riparian areas
Northern Grasshopper Mouse Onychomys leucogaster No recorded observation; likely to occur
Bushy-tailed Woodrat Neotoma cinerea Common in park rocky areas, near cave entrance
Meadow Vole Microtus pennsylvanicus Common along riparian areas
Prairie Vole Microtus ochrogaster Common in grasslands; cyclic population
Southern Red-Backed Vole Clethrionomys gapperi Common in aspen and moist pine habitat
Long-tailed Vole Microtus longicaudus No recorded observation; possible to occur
Muskrat Ondartra zibethica Rare in park due to unsuitable habitat
Norway Rat Rattus norvegicus No observations; exotic possible to occur
House Mouse Mus musculus Rare in park; exotic last observed in 1968
Meadow Jumping Mouse Zapus hudsonius Uncommon in moist draws and riparian areas
Porcupine Erethizon dorsatum Common, frequently seen at night
Hares & Rabbits
Whitetail Jackrabbit Lepus townsendi Rare in park grasslands
Black-tailed Jackrabbit Lepus californicus No recorded observation; possible to occur
Eastern Cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus Common in woodlands near visitor center
Mountain Cottontail Sylvilagus nuttalli No recorded observation, possible above 4,500 feet
Desert Cottontail Sylvilagus auduboni Common in arid grasslands and prairie dog towns
Even-toed Hoofed Mammals
Elk Cervus elephus Abundant, difficult to observe, reintroduced in 1914
Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus Common in park, often observed
Whitetail Deer Odocoileus virginianus Common in park, often observed
Pronghorn ("Antelope") Antilocapra americana Uncommon in park, reintroduced in 1914
Bison ("Buffalo") Bison bison Common in park, reintroduced in 1913

Notes:
Common and scientific names are taken from Higgins, Stukel, Goulet & Backlund (2000) Wild Mammals of South Dakota. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks. Pierre. 278 pp.

Wind Cave National Park Nature & Science

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Page Last Updated: Saturday, September 11, 2004 3:52 PM
Web Author: Jim Pisarowicz