Lake County Plants & Animals
We are working to preserve and restore the habitats that our native wildlife and plants need to survive and thrive. We are also here to help you enjoy the many wonderful creatures that live all around us.
Historically, the southern end of Lake Michigan was a conversion point of several ecosystems, including northern bog and tundra, eastern deciduous woodlands, southern swamps and western prairie. As a result, the lands surrounding Lake Michigan contain some of the greatest biodiversity in the world. Living in the islands of habitat nestled between the human dwellings are thousands of native animal and plant species. Native species are those that have evolved in this region of the country. The species in Lake County, Illinois make up some of the rarest natural communities on Earth.
Biodiversity, short for “biological diversity,” refers to the variety of life forms on Earth. Biodiversity keeps our air and water clean, regulates our climate, and provides all plants and animals (including humans) with food, shelter, clothing, medicine, and other useful products.
Natural communities such as prairies, savannas, woodlands and wetlands once covered the Midwest. Human development of the land and invasive species have greatly affected these communities. Only fragments of the original habitats have survived to current day, jeopardizing biodiversity in Lake County.
Explore Lake County Species
Our scientists use a variety of methods to find, measure and map plant and animal communities within the preserves. Learn more »
The numbers are fed into a powerful database that allows our ecologists to analyze the information in any number of ways to reveal meaningful relationships and trends. Careful information management means that the data we gather now will continue to be accessible and useful into the future.
The database also makes it easier for us to share our information with other conservation agencies and local students. After all, Lake County and all its residents are part of a bigger picture.
Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Nat/Non |
Type |
|
13-Lined Ground Squirrel
|
Spermophilus tridecemlineatus
|
Native
|
Mammal
|
|
Acadian Flycatcher
|
Empidonax virescens
|
Native
|
Bird
|
|
Acanalonia bivitatta
|
Acanalonia bivitatta
|
Unknown
|
True Bugs
|
|
Acanalonia conica
|
Acanalonia conica
|
Unknown
|
True Bugs
|
|
Acanthocinus pusillus
|
Acanthocinus pusillus
|
Unknown
|
Beetles
|
|
Aceratagallia Sp.
|
Aceratagallia Sp.
|
Unknown
|
True Bugs
|
|
Achaearanea globosa
|
Achaearanea globosa
|
Unknown
|
Spiders
|
|
Achaearanea tabulata
|
Achaearanea tabulata
|
Unknown
|
Spiders
|
|
Acorn Weevil
|
Curculio Sp. 1
|
Unknown
|
Beetles
|
|
Acupalpus carus
|
Acupalpus carus
|
Unknown
|
Beetles
|
The database above displays results from our formal plant and wildlife monitoring programs. Consistent, comparable information is the key to useful data. Learn more »
Our natural resource staff follows strict rules that dictate when, where and what is counted. Consistent collection procedures ensure the data can be compared meaningfully, apples-to-apples or “turtles-to-turtles,” as the case might be.
In addition to data from our formal monitoring programs, we also receive species counts from citizen scientist monitoring networks, research projects and special events, such as our Middlefork Savanna BioBlitz. Since these data are collected irregularly, they are not included in the inventory above.
Resources
Endangered Species
Lake County is home to more endangered and threatened species than any other county in Illinois.
Learn more »
Habitat Types
Every species needs a different habitat to survive. Lake County holds a variety of natural communities, including prairies, woodlands and wetlands.
Learn more »
Landscaping with Native Plants
The decisions we make when landscaping our yards determine what kinds of wildlife live there and whether or not we can co-exist with them.
Learn more »
Research Assistance
Find further information about identifying species, living with wildlife and other natural resource topics.
Learn more »
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Lake County Nature Blog
Connect with seasonal nature observations on our Nature Blog »
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Lake County Nature Cam
See into the lives of local wildlife with the Nature Cam.