No strictly endemic species are known from South Dakota.
Understand that “endemic” means a species lives only inside a single place. State borders are political lines, not natural ones. Plants and animals in South Dakota usually range across the Great Plains or the Black Hills and into neighboring states. Because of that, no wild species are currently documented as found only inside South Dakota’s state line.
Note that strict state endemics are rare anywhere. Ecology, ice ages, migration, and shared habitats make species ranges cross borders. Many species that feel “local” are actually tied to the Black Hills ecoregion or to the northern Great Plains. Look for near-matches instead: for example, the Black Hills spruce (a local variety of white spruce) is native to the Black Hills area, and prairie specialists like the Dakota skipper have much of their range in the northern plains. Also check for unique subspecies, isolated populations, and state-listed rarities that are important even if they are not South Dakota–only.
Explore related lists and places that do have narrow ranges. Search for “Black Hills endemics,” “Great Plains near-endemics,” state-listed species, and rare habitat guides (badlands, prairie remnants, and Black Hills forests). Use authoritative sources such as NatureServe, the South Dakota Natural Heritage Program, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to find species with very limited ranges or special conservation status.
