Wildlife in Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park is home to 2,484 documented species across 9 categories, including 7 threatened or endangered species and 1979 native species.

2,484
Total Species
9
Categories
7
Threatened
1,979
Native Species

Biodiversity Overview

Species by Category

Vascular Plant1,622Bird353Insect249Fish76Fungi69Mammal60Reptile30Amphibian24Spider/Scorpion1

Native vs Non-Native Species

Native: 1,979 species (80%)
Non-native: 456 species (18%)

Abundance Distribution

Abundance Level Species Count Percentage
Common 613 24.7%
Rare 585 23.6%
Uncommon 476 19.2%
Unknown 323 13%
NA 287 11.6%
Abundant 148 6%

Threatened & Endangered Species

Endangered Species List

Indiana Dunes National Park contains 7 species with federal threatened or endangered status.

Species Category Status Nativeness
Piping Plover Bird EN Native
Karner blue butterfly Insect EN Native
Canada lynx, Canadian Lynx, lynx Mammal NA Native
Cluster Bat, Indiana bat, Indiana Myotis, Social Bat Mammal EN Native
Gray Wolf, Wolf Mammal EN Native
Northern Bat, Northern Long-eared Bat, Northern Myotis Mammal EN Native
Pitcher's thistle, sand dune thistle Vascular Plant NA Native

Conservation Priorities

Of the 2,484 species in Indiana Dunes National Park, 7 require active conservation management. The most species-rich category is Vascular Plant with 1,622 documented species.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many species are in Indiana Dunes National Park?

Indiana Dunes National Park has 2,484 documented species across 9 categories. Vascular Plant is the largest category with 1,622 species.

Are there endangered species in Indiana Dunes National Park?

Yes, Indiana Dunes National Park is home to 7 threatened or endangered species requiring conservation management.

What is the most common wildlife category?

The most common category is Vascular Plant (1,622 species), followed by Bird (353).

Data Source: National Park Service (NPS) Biodiversity Database.

Last Updated: April 10, 2026