Typical small mammals include bobcat, red fox, jackrabbit, cottontail, and prairie dog. Summer nesters include Swainson's hawk, blue-winged teal, and ruddy duck. The goshawk may be a rare winter resident. The goldeneye and common merganser are other winter residents. Herpetofauna include snapping turtle, Great Plains toad, western hognose snake, and the western garter snake.
Catfish species are typical in area waters.
Precipitation ranges from 20 to 35 in. The growing season lasts 150 to 230 days. Surface Water Characteristics. Large rivers, streams, ponds, reservoirs, and wells exist in this Section. Many rivers flow through this Section, including the Platte, Loup, Republican, Cimarron, Arkansas, Solomon, and Saline.