Animals

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is home to countless animals, which live in a wide variety of habitats. You are bound to come across some type of wildlife here, whether you are hiking, driving, camping, or paddling. Some animals, like deer and squirrels, are very common and familiar. Other animals, like Great Lakes piping plovers, are endangered and a treat to come across.

Be sure to give all wild animals plenty of space and never make them feel threatened. Explore the Lakeshore’s impressive variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians below.
 

Animals

 

Make a checklist!

Use the tool below to generate a list of animal species found in the Lakeshore. Select the species category you're interested in and use the blue buttons to generate a list. A checklist will include all species in the category that are confirmed to live in the park. A full list will include all confirmed category species as well as false reports and locally extinct species.
 

Select a Park:

Select a Species Category (optional):

List Differences

Search results will be displayed here.


Visit NPSpecies for more comprehensive information and advanced search capability. Have a suggestion or comment on this list? Let us know.

 

Last updated: July 18, 2025

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

9922 Front Street
Empire, MI 49630

Phone:

231 326-4700

Contact Us