Kansas, the landlocked state in the midwestern region of the United States, has different types of habitats that range from plains and wetlands to rocky mountainous terrains. It has three different climates – humid continental, subtropical, and semi-arid steppe, allowing all types of animals and plants to grow. There are hundreds of native animals, with over 230 rare animals calling the state their home.
There are many places and wildlife-watching points, including the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, the largest marsh area attracting many birds yearly. Apart from that, there’s Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, and Flint Hills – all suitable for watching deer, bison, elk, and all sorts of birds. Below is a list of the common and well-known animals in the state.
List of Different Types of Animals Found in Kansas
Mammals
American Bison
Bobcat
Pronghorn
White-Tailed Deer
Mule Deer
Rocky Mountain elk
Red Fox
Eastern Cottontail
Desert Cottontail
Groundhog
Raccoon
Striped Skunk
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Eastern gray squirrel
Nine-Banded Armadillo
Eastern Chipmunk
Southern Flying Squirrel
Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel
White-Tailed Jackrabbit
Black-Tailed Jackrabbit
Meadow Vole
White-Footed Mouse
Prairie Vole
Meadow Jumping Mouse
Least Chipmunk
Virginia opossum
Yellow-faced pocket gopher
Black-tailed prairie dog
Ord’s kangaroo rat
Marsh Rice Rat
Eastern Red Bat
Hoary Bat
Northern Long-eared Bat
North American River Otter
Least weasel
Some animals that used to be found in Kansas are the grizzly bear, cougar, gray wolf, and black-footed ferret. But their populations have lately been extirpated.
Birds
Western meadowlark
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
Virginia Rail
American Robin
Tufted Titmouse
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-tailed Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Reptiles
Common Snapping Turtle
Western Painted Turtle
Eastern Box Turtle
Ornate Box Turtle
Pond Slider
River Cooter
Spiny Softshell Turtle
Prairie Kingsnake
Smooth Green Snake
Copperhead
Plains Garter Snake
Western Rat Snake
Western Hog-nosed Snake
Bullsnake
Northern Water Snake
Timber Rattlesnake
Eastern Massasauga
Smooth Earth snake
Redbelly Snake
Mississippi Green Water snake
Western Worm Snake
Western Ribbonsnake
Five-lined Skink
Six-lined racerunner
Common Fence Lizard
Northern Prairie Skink
Great Plains Skink
Amphibians
Barred Tiger Salamander
Hellbender
Small-mouthed salamander
Mudpuppy
Eastern Newt
Woodhouse’s Toad
Great Plains Toad
Fowler’s Toad
Blanchard’s Cricket Frog
Spotted Chorus Frog
Spring Peeper
Boreal Chorus Frog
Plains Leopard Frog
American Bullfrog
Plains Spadefoot
Fishes
Channel Catfish
Blue Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
White Bass
Striped Bass
Walleye
Sauger
Northern Pike
Yellow Perch
Black Crappie
White Crappie
Bluegill
Green Sunfish
Longear Sunfish
Redear Sunfish
Warmouth
Rock Bass
Freshwater Drum
White Sucker
Creek Chub
Redhorse Sucker
Spotted Gar
Longnose Gar
Insects And Invertebrates
Kansas is home to several ants, along with other insects. Most of the ants found here are considered pests.
Honeybee
American Burying Beetle
Scott Optioservus Riffle Beetle
Cottonwood Borer
Annuals and periodical Cicadas
Cicada-killer Wasp
Yellowjacket
Regal Fritillary
Monarch Butterfly
Field Cricket
Dragonflies
Bed Bugs
Ticks
Red Imported Fire Ant
Acrobat Ant
Big-Headed Ant
Carpenter Ant
Harvester Ant
Little Black Ant
Mound Ant
State Animals of Kansas
State Animal
American Bison
State Bird
Western Meadowlark
State Reptile
Ornate Box Turtle
State Amphibian
Barred Tiger Salamander
State Fish
Channel Catfish
State Insect
Honeybee
FAQ
What are the most dangerous animals in Kansas?
Despite there being quite a few large to medium carnivores, the deadliest animals you are more likely to encounter in the state are the venomous snakes and spiders like the copperhead, timber rattlesnake, eastern Massasauga, black widow, and brown recluse. The American bison is also counted among the most dangerous animals in the state. Additionally, several wasps and ticks can inflict painful stings and bites.
What are some of the most endangered animals in Kansas?
There are several threatened and endangered species in the state, with some of the most noteworthy ones being the northern long-eared bat (mammal), piping plover, whopping crane (birds), and Topeka shiner (fish).
