Mule deer
The Black Hills of South Dakota, in the western portion of the state, have many creatures that are common within its mixture of prairie and badlands ecosystems. National parks such as Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park exist in the Black Hills, where animals have protection from human pressures. The animals of this region are a diverse group, with some of the larger species including bison and elk, which at one time were much more common than they are now. However, other species do populate the Black Hills in large numbers.
Pronghorn Antelope
The pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) is an ungulate, or hoofed mammal, that resides on the wide open prairie in parts of the Black Hills. The pronghorn is the only creature within its family of animals. The antelope possesses great eyesight and hearing and its ability to run as rapidly as 60 miles per hour makes it North America's fastest land mammal. Horns are a feature of both sexes, but those on the female are much smaller than the horns on a male. The National Park Service website says that among horned animals, only the pronghorn antelope sheds its horns every year. The colors range from tan and reddish tan to white with black stripes on a pronghorn. The males can weigh as much as 140 lbs. and the females can weigh 105 lbs. The pronghorn is a good swimmer, but oddly enough, despite its athleticism, it will not jump over a fence, but rather try to crawl underneath it.
Mule Deer
The mule deer gets its name from its oversized ears, which are always moving and trying to detect any sound that could indicate danger. A deer of the American West, this species resides in the Black Hills and ranges from as far north as the Yukon Territory to as far south as Mexico. Mule deer have a habit of running when presented with danger with a series of four-legged jumps that help it outrun a predator and see above the terrain it traverses. Unlike its close relative, the white-tailed deer, the mule deer has a black-tipped tail. The antlers will fall off the male in the winter, providing a source of calcium for creatures such as mice and porcupines. The mule deer female gives birth to its young by the end of May or the start of June.
Bullsnake
The bullsnake (Pituophis melanoleucus) is South Dakota's largest species of snake and is abundant in the Black Hills, according to the Wind Cave National Park website. The bullsnake is a non-venomous snake but is a constrictor, looping its coil around its prey after grabbing it with its mouth. The snake then tightens its muscles and suffocates its victim before devouring it. The bullsnake can be as long as 6 feet and has a stout, heavy body. The snakes will use abandoned animal burrows as a home and have the ability to climb trees. Once in a tree, the bullsnake will hunt for birds and/or their eggs. While the bullsnake will make a stand against people that approach it and attempt to handle it, this species will bite typically only as a last resort.
Tags: Black Hills, National Park, mule deer, South Dakota, Black Hills South
