Rapid City
Ecosystem Overview
The Rapid City ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 94 taxonomic genera. Located in pennington 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. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 8 pennington county County natural areas, placing it in the 75th percentile for biodiversity.
Biodiversity Highlights
Species Distribution
Regional Context
Most Common Species
Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.
Odocoileus hemionus
mule deer
Passer domesticus
House Sparrow
Turdus migratorius
American Robin
Acer negundo
ash-leaved maple, box-elder
Sympetrum semicinctum
Band-Winged Meadowhawk
Daucus carota
wild carrot
Sciurus niger
Cat Squirrel
Coccinella septempunctata
7-spot ladybird
Aix sponsa
wood duck
Anas platyrhynchos
mallard
Agelaius phoeniceus
Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)
Mantis religiosa
European mantis
Echinocystis lobata
Wild cucumber
Quiscalus quiscula
Common Grackle
Verbascum thapsus
Aaron'S-Rod
Rhamnus cathartica
purging buckthorn
Medicago lupulina
Black medick
Solanum dulcamara
bittersweet, woody nightshade
Cynoglossum officinale
Common houndstongue
Thamnophis radix
Plains Garter Snake
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Nearby Wildlife Areas in Pennington County
Discover 8 other wildlife-rich locations near Rapid City. Each offers unique biodiversity and wildlife viewing opportunities.
🌿 Premier Wildlife Areas (1 nearby)
🌱 Specialized Habitats (2 nearby)
📍 Explore These Areas (5 nearby)
Regional Wildlife Network
These nearby locations complement Rapid Citywithin Pennington County's wildlife network. Species counts reflect documented observations and help identify the most biodiverse areas for your nature explorations.