Indiana, the American Midwestern state, is characterized by its diverse biogeography comprising varied habitats from flat and fertile farmlands in the north-central region to the rolling hills in the southern parts. Indiana has forests, wetlands, prairies, and lakes, supporting various plant and animal species. Two major rivers, the Ohio and Wabash, flow through the state, offering extensive riverine ecosystems.
The Indiana Dunes National Park is one of the most famous wildlife reserves in the state. Other places that offer a closer look at the state’s rich flora and fauna include the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.
List of Different Types of Animals Found in Indiana
The list below includes animals that are native to the state.
Mammals
Black Bear
Bobcat
Coyote
Gray Fox
Red Fox
Gray Wolf
Cougar
White-tailed Deer
Allegheny Woodrat
Badger
American Beaver
Chipmunk
Cottontail Rabbit
Swamp Rabbit
Eastern Mole
Fox Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
Eastern Ground Squirrel
Western Harvest Mouse
Woodchuck
American Mink
Muskrat
Plains Pocket Gopher
Nine-banded Armadillo
Virginia Opossum
North American Porcupine
Raccoon
Striped Skunk
Least Weasel
Long-tailed Weasel
River Otter
Indiana Bat
Big Brown Bat
Birds
Northern Cardinal
Downy Woodpecker
House Finch
House Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
American Robin
Mourning Dove
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Piping Plover
Reptiles
Eastern Box Turtle
Common Snapping Turtle
Painted Turtle
Common Map Turtle
Spiny Softshell Turtle
Eastern Mud Turtle
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
Timber Rattlesnake
Eastern Cottonmouth
Eastern Garter Snake
Eastern Milk Snake
Smooth Green Snake
Eastern Ribbon Snake
Northern Water Snake
Kirtland’s Snake
Northern Brown Snake
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
Red-bellied Snake
Queen Snake
Black Rat Snake
Eastern Worm Snake
Ringneck Snake
Northern Red-bellied Snake
Northern Rough Green Snake
Eastern Fox Snake
Broadhead Skink
Five-lined Skink
Eastern Fence Lizard
Slender Glass Lizard
Amphibians
Jefferson Salamander
Blue-spotted Salamander
Tiger Salamander
Red-backed Salamander
Eastern Hellbender
Blanchard’s Cricket Frog
American Toad
Fowler’s Toad
Gray Treefrog
Spring Peeper
Western Chorus Frog
American Bullfrog
Northern Green Frog
Wood Frog
Plain’s Leopard Frog
Southern Leopard Frog
Fishes
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Bluegill
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
White Crappie
Black Crappie
Walleye
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
Muskellunge
Longnose Gar
Spotted Gar
Freshwater Drum
White Bass
Sauger
Blue Catfish
Yellow Bullhead
Black Bullhead
Freshwater Drum
Redear Sunfish
Warmouth
Green Sunfish
Rock Bass
Longear Sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Suckerfish
Shovelnose Sturgeon
Bowfin
Bluegill Sunfish
Northern brook lamprey
Insects and Invertebrates
Say’s Firefly
Cabbage White Butterfly
Black Swallowtail
Carpenter Ant
American Cockroach
Brown Recluse
Black Widow
Wolf Spider
Bed Bugs
Mosquitoes
Wasps
Japanese Beetle
Common House Fly
Eastern Boxelder Bug
Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Common Eastern Bumblebee
State Animals of Indiana
State Bird
Northern Cardinal
State Insect
Say’s Firefly
FAQ
What are the most dangerous animals in Indiana?
The deadliest animals in the state include carnivores like black bears, coyotes, cougars, and gray foxes. Other equally dangerous animals include snakes and spiders like the eastern Massasauga, cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, black widows, and brown recluses. Fire ants and kissing bugs are some insects to watch out for.
What are some common invasive animals in Indiana?
The Gypsy Moth, emerald ash borer, Asian longhorn beetle, and Zebra Mussels are some invasive invertebrates. At the same time, the mute swan is an invasive bird. Like in many other states in the US, wild hogs are also invasive to Indiana.
Are there any endangered animals in Indiana?
There are around 30 endangered species in the state, some of the most notable ones being the Indiana bat, Gray Bat, Kirtland’s snake, eastern hellbender, piping plover, and spotted turtle.
