Animals in Illinois

Illinois boasts diverse geological terrains that include fertile prairies, rolling hills, and rich wetlands. This has given the state’s wildlife ample opportunities to grow and prosper.

The Mississippi River flowing along the state’s western border further enhances the biodiversity, providing a habitat for numerous waterfowl and aquatic creatures.

Several wildlife reserves, including the Shawnee National Forest and the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, offer a chance to watch the state’s wildlife.

List of Different Types of Animals Found in Illinois

Mammals

American Bison
American Black Bear
Cougar
Bobcat
Coyote
Gray Wolf
Raccoon
Beaver
White-tailed Deer
American Elk
Red Fox
Gray Fox
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Striped Skunk
Least Shrew
American pygmy shrew
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
Southern Flying Squirrel
Plains Pocket Gopher
Beaver
Deer Mouse
Prairie Vole
Meadow Vole
Virginia Opossum
American Badger
American Mink
Marsh Rice Rat
Meadow Jumping Mouse
Muskrat
Nine-banded Armadillo
Big brown Bat
Red Bat
Townsend’s Big-eared Bat
Silver-haired Bat
North American River Otter
American Marten
Fisher

Birds

Bald Eagle
Great Blue Heron
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
Blue Jay
Downy Woodpecker
Prothonotary Warbler
Barred Owl
House Finch
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-tailed Hawk

Reptiles

Common Snapping Turtle
Painted Turtle
Eastern Box Turtle
Common Map Turtle
Common Musk Turtle
Northern Water Snake
Common Garter Snake
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
Eastern Milk Snake
Eastern Hognose Snake
Red-bellied Snake
Smooth Green Snake
Eastern Ribbon Snake
Prairie Kingsnake
Eastern Ratsnake
Smooth Earthsnake
Western Foxsnake
Rough Green Snake
Western Mudsnake
Queen Snake
Northern Red-bellied Snake
Five-lined Skink
Little Brown Skink
Eastern Collared Lizard
Northern Fence Lizard
Western Slender Glass Lizard

Amphibians

Four-toed Salamander
Northern Slimy Salamander
Eastern Tiger Salamander
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Small-mouthed Salamander
Eastern Newt
Blue Spotted Salamander
Spotted Salamander
Marbled Salamander
Eastern Spadefoot
Common Mudpuppy
American Bullfrog
Northern Leopard Frog
Green Frog
Spring Peeper
Gray Treefrog
Pickerel Frog
Western Chorus Frog
American Green Treefrog
American Toad
Fowler’s Toad

Fishes

Bluegill
Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Coho Salmon
Crappie
Green Sunfish
Lake Sturgeon
Largemouth Bass
Longnose Gar
Muskellunge
Northern Pike
Redear Sunfish
Sea Lamprey
Smallmouth Bass
Striped Bass
Sauger
Walleye
Yellow Perch

Insects and Invertebrates

Monarch Butterfly
Black Swallowtail
Western Honey Bee
Ant-like Longhorn Beetle
Box Elder Beetles
Black Ant
Carpenter Ant
Fire Ant
Hover Fly
Fruit Fly
Silverfish
Clover Mite
Centipede
Wolf Spider
Bold Jumping Spider
Brown Recluse
Black Widow
Black And Yellow Garden Spider

State Animals of Illinois

State Animal	White-tailed Deer
State Horse	Thoroughbred Horse
State Bird	Northern Cardinal
State Reptile	Painted Turtle
State Snake	Eastern Milk Snake
State Amphibian	Eastern Tiger Salamander
State Fish	Bluegill
State Insect	Monarch Butterfly

FAQ

What are the most dangerous animals in Illinois?

The deadliest animals in Illinois include large and medium carnivores like black bears, cougars, gray wolves, and coyotes. Venomous snakes and spiders like eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes, black widows, and brown recluses are also quite dangerous for humans.

What are some of the rarest animals in Illinois?

The gray wolf, bald eagle, osprey, peregrine falcon, Jefferson’s salamander, and mudpuppy are some rare animals in the state because their populations are classified as threatened or endangered.