Otter Tail County

Ecosystem Overview

The Otter Tail County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 90 taxonomic genera. Located in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, 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 Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County hosts 37% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 10 Otter Tail County County natural areas, placing it in the 90th 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 10 locations

90th percentile for diversity

vs. Fergus Falls

+37% 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.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Very Common7 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common6 obs.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Very Common5 obs.

Poecile atricapillus

Black-capped chickadee

Very Common5 obs.

Cicindela sexguttata

Six-Spotted Tiger Beetle

Very Common5 obs.

Cygnus buccinator

trumpeter swan

Common4 obs.

Spinus tristis

American goldfinch

Common4 obs.

Uvularia grandiflora

Large-Flowered Bellwort

Common4 obs.

Rhus glabra

Scarlet Sumach

Common4 obs.

Asclepias incarnata

Pleurisy Root

Common4 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Common4 obs.

Amorpha fruticosa

False Indigo-Bush

Occasional4 obs.

Silphium perfoliatum

Cup Plant

Occasional4 obs.

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

Ecureuil Roux

Occasional3 obs.

Verbena stricta

Mullein-Leaved Vervain

Occasional3 obs.

Punctelia bolliana

Occasional3 obs.

Sitta carolinensis

White-Breasted Nuthatch (Interior West)

Occasional3 obs.

Sitta canadensis

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Rare3 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Rare3 obs.

Sympetrum vicinum

Autumn Meadowhawk

Rare3 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+809%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Otter Tail County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Fergus Falls

Importance: 0.43

73 species

+37% vs. current

Grotto Lake

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

East Lost Lake

Importance: 0.35

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Lake Emma

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Otter Tail Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Long Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Fairy Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Pickerel Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% 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 Otter Tail 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

+809%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Otter Tail County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Fergus Falls

Importance: 0.43

73 species

+37% vs. current

Grotto Lake

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

East Lost Lake

Importance: 0.35

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Lake Emma

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Otter Tail Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Long Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Fairy Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Pickerel Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 10 locations

90th percentile for diversity

vs. Fergus Falls

+37% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Very Common7 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common6 obs.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Very Common5 obs.

Poecile atricapillus

Black-capped chickadee

Very Common5 obs.

Cicindela sexguttata

Six-Spotted Tiger Beetle

Very Common5 obs.

Cygnus buccinator

trumpeter swan

Common4 obs.

Spinus tristis

American goldfinch

Common4 obs.

Uvularia grandiflora

Large-Flowered Bellwort

Common4 obs.

Rhus glabra

Scarlet Sumach

Common4 obs.

Asclepias incarnata

Pleurisy Root

Common4 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Common4 obs.

Amorpha fruticosa

False Indigo-Bush

Occasional4 obs.

Silphium perfoliatum

Cup Plant

Occasional4 obs.

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

Ecureuil Roux

Occasional3 obs.

Verbena stricta

Mullein-Leaved Vervain

Occasional3 obs.

Punctelia bolliana

Occasional3 obs.

Sitta carolinensis

White-Breasted Nuthatch (Interior West)

Occasional3 obs.

Sitta canadensis

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Rare3 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Rare3 obs.

Sympetrum vicinum

Autumn Meadowhawk

Rare3 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.