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Biomes
Much of South Dakota, with the notable exception of the Black Hills, is dominated by a temperate grasslands biome. Due to higher elevation and precipitation, the ecology of the Black Hills differs significantly from that of the plains.

Flora
The Black Hills are thickly blanketed by various types of pine; species include ponderosa pine, spruce, lodgepole pine, and limber pine.

Although grasses and crops cover most of this region, deciduous trees such as cottonwoods, elms, and willows are common near rivers and in shelter belts. In open, uncultivated areas of the plains, grasses such as buffalograss, western wheatgrass, switchgrass, big bluestem and little bluestem thrive.

Mammals
Mammals of the grasslands include bison, deer, pronghorn, beavers, and prairie dogs. Coyotes, the state animal, can be found throughout the state. South Dakota is also home to 11 species of bats.

Black Hills mammals include mule deer, elk (wapiti), bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and mountain goats.

Birds
South Dakota's varied geography is inhabited by many species of birds. The state bird, the ring-necked pheasant, has adapted particularly well to the area after being introduced from China, and growing populations of bald eagles are spread throughout the state, especially near the Missouri River. The wild turkey is another large bird found in many areas of the state. The numerous lakes and wetlands of eastern South Dakota support migratory populations of Canada geese, snow geese, mallards, pelicans, and wood ducks. The prairie serves as home to songbirds such as meadowlarks (both the eastern and western varieties), goldfinches, and bluebirds, and the open landscape of the plains also suits many carnivorous birds, such as hawks, falcons, and owls.

Fish
Rivers and lakes of the grasslands support populations of walleye, carp, pike, and bass, along with other species. The Missouri River also contains the pre-historic paddlefish, and chinook salmon, native to the Pacific Northwest, have been successfully introduced in Lake Oahe.

The cooler and swifter streams of the Black Hills while the streams and lakes contain several species of trout.

Reptiles and amphibians
Reptiles include the snapping turtle, the box turtle, and various types of snakes. The prairie rattlesnake is South Dakota's only venomous snake.

Human interaction and conservation
Custer State Park in the Black Hills is the second-largest state park in the nation, and includes a wildlife loop featuring a large bison herd and the "begging burros", among other species.

http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2009-IP.csv