Custer County

Ecosystem Overview

The Custer County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 95 taxonomic genera. Located in Custer County, South Dakota, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Custer, Custer County hosts 900% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 5 Custer County County natural areas, placing it in the 80th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 5 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 5 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Custer

+900% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Bison bison

American bison

Very Common237 obs.

Antilocapra americana

pronghorn

Very Common72 obs.

Cynomys ludovicianus

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Very Common68 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common23 obs.

Ratibida columnifera

Mexican-hat

Very Common16 obs.

Sialia currucoides

Mountain Bluebird

Common15 obs.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Red-headed Woodpecker

Common15 obs.

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

Ecureuil Roux

Common14 obs.

Ovis canadensis

Mountain Sheep; Audubon Bighorn (auduboni)

Common14 obs.

Equus asinus

Donkey

Common12 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Aaron'S-Rod

Common11 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Occasional11 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional11 obs.

Tyrannus verticalis

Western Kingbird

Occasional10 obs.

Campanula petiolata

Occasional10 obs.

Verbena stricta

Mullein-Leaved Vervain

Occasional10 obs.

Canis latrans

Prairie Wolf

Occasional9 obs.

Sturnella neglecta

Western Meadowlark

Rare9 obs.

Bromus inermis

Smooth brome

Rare9 obs.

Quercus macrocarpa

Bur Oak

Rare8 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Custer County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+1011%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 4 nearby locations in Custer County County, South Dakota

Nearby Natural Areas

Custer

Importance: 0.38

10 species

+900% vs. current

Lakota Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Hermosa

Importance: 0.24

18 species

+456% vs. current

Sylvan Lake

Importance: 0.20

5 species

+1900% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Custer County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+1011%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 4 nearby locations in Custer County County, South Dakota

Nearby Natural Areas

Custer

Importance: 0.38

10 species

+900% vs. current

Lakota Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Hermosa

Importance: 0.24

18 species

+456% vs. current

Sylvan Lake

Importance: 0.20

5 species

+1900% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 5 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 5 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Custer

+900% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Bison bison

American bison

Very Common237 obs.

Antilocapra americana

pronghorn

Very Common72 obs.

Cynomys ludovicianus

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Very Common68 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common23 obs.

Ratibida columnifera

Mexican-hat

Very Common16 obs.

Sialia currucoides

Mountain Bluebird

Common15 obs.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Red-headed Woodpecker

Common15 obs.

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

Ecureuil Roux

Common14 obs.

Ovis canadensis

Mountain Sheep; Audubon Bighorn (auduboni)

Common14 obs.

Equus asinus

Donkey

Common12 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Aaron'S-Rod

Common11 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Occasional11 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional11 obs.

Tyrannus verticalis

Western Kingbird

Occasional10 obs.

Campanula petiolata

Occasional10 obs.

Verbena stricta

Mullein-Leaved Vervain

Occasional10 obs.

Canis latrans

Prairie Wolf

Occasional9 obs.

Sturnella neglecta

Western Meadowlark

Rare9 obs.

Bromus inermis

Smooth brome

Rare9 obs.

Quercus macrocarpa

Bur Oak

Rare8 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.