6 Amazing Animals That Are Endangered and Living In Indiana

Also known as the Hoosier State, there are a few fantastic endangered animals in Indiana. While not exactly the largest state in the United States, Indiana lies in the Great Lakes region. This is home to a number of unique and amazing animal species, including many that are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and species-specific diseases.

In this article, we’ll address six of the most interesting and endangered animals in Indiana, both on land and in the water. We’ll discuss why these creatures are currently threatened and if any conservation efforts are being made. Let’s get started and see the types of animals living in the Hoosier State now!

Endangered Animals in Indiana

According to the IUCN Red List of threatened animals, there are less than 20 endangered animals in Indiana. Many of these species are found in other states as well, with very few endangered species endemic to Indiana only. Let’s talk about a few of these species now.

Wood Turtle

Seen in northern portions of Indiana, the wood turtle is classified as endangered in the United States. Due to interferences in their nesting and breeding sites, largely due to urban development, many protections for wood turtles have been put into place in a number of states. Wood turtles live in water and on land in equal measure, traveling up to 400 feet a day. They can reach nearly 10 inches long and prefer to make their nests along rivers, which means that polluted waterways are also a threat to wood turtles.

Snuffbox Mussel

Technically the least endangered of animals found within the Epioblasma genus, snuffbox mussels are threatened in both the United States and Canada. Commonly called snuffboxes, this freshwater mollusk risks extinction due to habitat loss, waterway pollutants, and invasive species overtaking it. It enjoys rivers with rocks rather than silt or lakes that can offer it some waves and gentle currents.

Ottoe Skipper

Small and orange in color, the Ottoe skipper is a rare type of butterfly and an endangered animal in Indiana. Classified as Hesperia ottoe, its wingspan is under 40 milimeters. It thrives on a variety of grassland plants and coneflower species, though its natural habitat is dwindling due to urbanization. There are very few sightings of the Ottoe skipper these days, with fewer conservation efforts being made for this pollinator.

Poweshiek Skipperling

Classified as Oarisma poweshiek, the Poweshiek skipperling butterfly suffered a huge population decline after 2005. It was once found in Southern Canada down through Indiana, but has since become extremely rare. Thriving in prairies and grasslands, the Poweshiek skipperling has orange on the top side of its wings with silvery gray accents underneath. While currently being bred in captivity by the Minnesota Zoo, this skipperling is suffering from the loss of its natural, wild habitat.

White Warty-Back Pearly Mussel

Another endangered mollusk residing in Indiana is the white warty-back pearly mussel. Once a common enough creature living where major rivers meet, this mussel is only found in the Tennessee River nowadays. It may still live somewhere in Indiana, but sightings are few and far between. In fact, there are no living white warty-back pearly mussels in captivity, leading to an even greater concern for the longevity of this species.

Spotted Turtle

Adorable and fascinating, the spotted turtle is another endangered animal in Indiana. Despite numerous studies, there is no rhyme or reason as to why the spotted turtle gets its unique yellow dots or markings. Some turtles won’t have any spots at all, while others have spots all over their bodies and carapace.

Besides being sold in the controversial exotic pet industry, spotted turtles are threatened by pollution and habitat loss. Like the wood turtle, spotted turtles need dedicated and limited environments where they can build stable nests. Unfortunately, spotted turtles don’t reach sexual maturity until 8 years of age, making it extremely difficult for them to reach an optimum time of life for breeding.

Up Next:

• Discover the Deadliest Animals in Indiana
• The Flag of Indiana: History, Meaning, and Symbolism
• Indiana’s 5 Best Bird Watching Spots This Summer!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock.com