South Dakota has 1 venomous snake named by official sources: Prairie Rattlesnake, as labelled by National Park Service. This guide covers 8 animal groups from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks lists and other official sources, with photos, venomous status and when each group is active.
Identification help has limits: a photo cannot confirm that an animal is safe. Watch from a distance and never handle a wild animal.
These are the animals official sources describe as venomous or as a risk to people in South Dakota, across 5 groups. The reason is given in the source's own terms.
Venomous: “People who are allergic to venom may experience anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate emergency care.”
Large predator. SDGFP gives steps to avoid an attack if you meet one, and says attacks in the US are rare and there has never been a recorded attack in South Dakota (brochure last revised 2012): “Mountain lion attacks in the United States are rare. … There has never been a recorded attack in South Dakota.”
Official sources say the brown recluse spider is not native to South Dakota or not found there. It is not counted among the dangerous animals above; each entry quotes the source.
Darker cells are the months with more open-licence observation records of each group in South Dakota (GBIF). They show when people see and record these animals, not how many there are. The current month, this month, is highlighted.
Report: SDGFP: [email protected] (hunting/fishing and wildlife questions); report a suspected aquatic invasive species with a photo to [email protected]; report a tick photo to SD DOH via the South Dakota Tick Survey; report wildlife violations at 1.888.OVERBAG. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Yes. NPS says prairie rattlesnakes are the only venomous snakes in South Dakota. National Park Service
How many venomous snakes are in South Dakota?
Only one snake in South Dakota is venomous, the prairie rattlesnake (NPS). National Park Service
Are there copperheads or water moccasins in South Dakota?
Not on the official list. Neither is on the SDGFP amphibian and reptile checklist, and NPS says the prairie rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in the state. National Park Service
Yes. SDGFP says there is a breeding population in the Black Hills. Its mountain lion brochure (last revised 2012) says there has never been a recorded attack in South Dakota. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Rarely. The SDGFP mammal checklist lists Gray Wolf with status C (Casual); SDGFP lists the gray wolf as federally endangered statewide. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
“Prairie Rattlesnakes are the only venomous snakes in South Dakota. … South Dakota’s only species of venomous snake.”
“Prairie Rattlesnakes are the only venomous snakes in South Dakota.”
Venomous Spiders in South Dakota (FS 421). Cooperative Extension Service, South Dakota State University (Berndt and Kantack). archived copy, captured July 9, 2024; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (3)
“…two dangerous venomous species of spider-the black widow … are of major medical consequence in the United States.”
“…the brown recluse spider has not been reported in South Dakota.”
“…the more familiar black widow spider frequently is found in this state”
Insects and Scorpions at Work. CDC / NIOSH. archived copy, captured October 4, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“People who are allergic to venom may experience anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate emergency care.”
“Asian clam, New Zealand mudsnail, quagga mussel, red rimmed melania, red swamp crayfish, rusty crayfish, spiny waterflea, golden mussel, and zebra mussel.”
“Black carp, bighead carp, blotched snakehead, bullseye snakehead, common carp, rudd, giant snakehead, grass carp, northern snakehead, round goby, silver carp, western mosquitofish, prussian carp, and white perch.”
“If you catch what you believe is an invasive species, please take a picture of it and send the picture to [email protected].”
“Only one snake in South Dakota is venomous, the prairie rattlesnake.”
“If you hear rattling from the tall grass, the best move is to slowly back out the way you came in.”
Mountain Lion. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“With a breeding population established in the Black Hills”
Mammals checklist. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (Wildlife Action Plan website checklists). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“Black Bear Ursus americanus A”
“Gray Wolf Canis lupus C”
Amphibians and Reptiles checklist. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (Wildlife Action Plan website checklists). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Prairie Rattlesnakes in the Badlands. National Park Service (Badlands National Park). updated April 16, 2021; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (5)
“If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, please call 911 immediately.”
“One of the best ways to prevent a bite is to give these animals plenty of space and not try to handle them.”
“Snakes typically come out of hibernaculums and return to their summer activity in April or May when the weather is warm enough.”
“Female rattlesnakes give birth to 8-17 baby snakes in the late summer. … they are born venomous.”
“In the winter, ground temperatures are too cool for snakes to be active.”
Tick-Borne Diseases. South Dakota Department of Health. Content last updated: November 20, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“Prevention Tip: Wear long sleeves and pants, use EPA-registered repellents, and check for ticks after spending time outdoors.”
“Several tick species in South Dakota are active during warmer months”
Spring is here, and so are the ticks! SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University. Updated April 11, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“If you are concerned about a tick bite or develop other symptoms after the bite, contact your healthcare provider immediately.”
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
