Every time we visit the Badlands we get a different experience. The sunrises are different, the shades of green in the prairie are different, even the winds that whip through the park are different. It comes as no surprise that the wildlife in Badlands National Park is different too. From cute little grasshoppers to burly bighorn sheep, this park has it all.
Prairie dogs are one of our favorite animals in the park and we always make sure to visit their village. Say hello to Sir Squeaks-a-lot!
We get to see our fair share of whitetail deer in Indiana, but something’s different about the deer in the Badlands. Maybe it’s different because they aren’t corn fed and domesticated. Whatever it is, we like it.
As if whitetail deer weren’t cool enough, the Badlands is also home to mule deer. These bulky cousins to the whitetail spend their days and nights munching on prairie grass and scaling the hills of the Badlands. Don’t expect to sneak up on one of them, they’ll hear you a mile a way with ears as big as they have.
Bighorn sheep are also a common siting for us when we visit. They are brave and muscular animals that carry on like they own the place, which is nice to see. We know we’re just visitors on their turf and we would never expect them to change the way they live for us!
There are certain animals in the Badlands that Christy is completely happy to never see. Although we’ve never seen a rattlesnake, Mark still enjoys crying wolf to watch Christy run away screaming.
Although we don’t have the pictures to prove it, we’ve also seen rabbits, many varieties of birds, and ground squirrels. If you don’t believe us, then you’ll have to visit yourself to see them. When you visit there’s a good chance you will also see some (or all) of the following too:
- Bison
- Pronghorn Antelope
- Coyotes
- Badgers
- Foxes
- Bobcats
- Black-footed ferrets
Here are more photos of our furry friends in the Badlands:
We want to know about your experience with wildlife in Badlands National Park. What did you spot? Share your story in the comments section below or tell us about it on Facebook, Twitter, or Google Plus.