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Discover the Breathtaking Nature & Wildlife of North Dakota

This is a quick reference guide to the state of North Dakota's nature. While North Dakota is the seventeenth largest state in the U.S., it comes in at 48th on the list in terms of population. This means that plenty of open space can be found here, which is good news for the North Dakota wildlife. The wildlife of North Dakota includes a number of animal species that you might not be able to readily view back home, such as bison and prairie dogs. White-tailed deer are prevalent in the state, so you're bound to see plenty of them as well. Other animals include muskrats, elk, moose, coyotes, raccoons, bighorn sheep, and red foxes. Birdwatching enthusiasts are encouraged to consider a North Dakota vacation, as hundreds of bird species are known to nest in the state. The breathtaking state parks in North Dakota also offer an array of hiking trails to choose from, and they range from easy to strenuous, so you can choose accordingly. Below you will find some useful information about animals and plants that live in this area.

Northern Pike (1969) is the state Fish

The Northern Pike is a carnivorous fish of brackish and freshwaters of the northern hemisphere. Northern pikes are most often olive, shading into yellowish or whitish on belly with short, light barlike spots on body and some dark spots on the fins. Pike grow to a relatively large size: lengths of 4 feet and weight of 50 pounds are not unheard of. Releasing pikes into lakes where it has previously been unknown often has a significant impact on the local ecosystem. Trout populations in particular tend to drop dramatically. Fishing for pike is very exciting with their explosive hits and aerial acrobatics.

American Elm (1947) is the state Tree

The American Elm is an extremely hardy tree that can withstand harsh winters. The American Elm is a deciduous tree, sometimes growing up to 100 ft tall with a trunk up to 4 ft in diameter. The crown forms a high, spreading canopy with open air space beneath. In years past, it was used widely as a shade tree and street tree because of its graceful, arching, vase-like growth form and its tolerance of stress. Furthermore, the cross-grained wood gives a level of strength to the branches that resists easy breaking. American elm is primarily found on bottomlands and floodplains.

Wild Prairie Rose (1907) is the state Flower

The Wild Prairie Rose is a bushy flowering plant that grows in a large area of North America, spread widely throughout the Midwestern United States between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. Wild Prairie Rose flowers are about 2 inches broad and fragrant. The five petals on the Wild Prairie Rose vary from pink to white or rarely deep roselight and the flowers usually bloom in groups at ends of branches. Petals of the Wild Prairie Rose can be used in salads, to make tea, or can be candied.

Chokecherry (2007) is the state State Fruit

This small tree is native to North America, where it is found almost throughout the continent except for the Deep South and the far north. The seeds found inside the fruits, contain poisonous substances and should never be eaten. For many Native American tribes of the Northern Rockies, Northern Plains, and boreal forest region of Canada and the United States, chokecherries were the most important fruit in their diets. Grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. The wild chokecherry is often considered a pest, as it is a host for the tent caterpillar, a threat to other fruit plants.

Western Meadowlark (1947) is the state Bird

The Western Meadowlark is a medium-sized blackbird, very similar in appearance to the Eastern Meadowlark. Adults have yellow underparts with a black "V" on the breast and white flanks with black streaks. The upperparts are mainly brown with black streaks. They have a long pointed bill; the head is striped with light brown and black. Their breeding habitat is grasslands and prairie, also pastures and abandoned fields, across western and central North America to northern Mexico. This bird has a flute-like warbled song, unlike the simple whistled call of the Eastern Meadowlark.