Animal Discoveries of

the Lewis & Clark Expedition

By Sarah, Jesse, Carmen, Ivy, Gregory (5D)

Coyote

Found: Sep.18,1804 in Chamberlain, South Dakota

Habitat: open plains, bushy areas

Note: referred to as “prairie wolves” by Lewis and Clark. Common name comes from Coyotl, the name used by Mexico’s Nahuatl Indians.

White Tailed Jack Rabbit

Found Sep.14, 1804 near Chamberlain, North Dakota.

Habitat: grasslands Note: One of the least social

of hares, the White Tailed jackrabbit tends to be solitary except during the mating season. A nocturnal animal, it hides during the day.

Black Tailed Prairie Dog

Found Sep. 7, 1804 in Boyd County, Nebraska

Habitat: short grass, prairies Note: Lewis & Clark saw

their first prairie dog near Fort Randall Dam. A live prairie dog was among specimens sent to President Thomas Jefferson in 1805.

Mule Deer

Found Sep. 17, 1804 in Chamberlain, South Dakota

Habitat: forest edges, mountains, and foothills

Note: Lewis & Clark were the first to officially name this prairie animal.

Black-Billed Magpie

Found Sep. 16, 1804 near Chamberlain South Dakota

Habitat: open woodlands Note: Four live magpies

were sent to President Thomas Jefferson in the shipment from Fort Mandan in April 1805