5 Weird Animals You Won’t Believe Actually Live in Wisconsin
forget about white-tailed deer and badgers and check out these odd critters!
SLENDER GLASS LIZARD
The bizarre beastie’s name is a misnomer: While slender, it’s definitely not made of glass. Weirdest of all, it’s legless, but it isn’t classified as a snake: These lizards evolved separately from other slithery reptiles. If you see one, consider yourself lucky – slender glass lizards are endangered in Wisconsin.
PEACH BLOSSOM JELLYFISH
If you’re surprised to learn we have jellyfish in Wisconsin, you’re not alone. These tiny (1-inch in diameter) freshwater hydrozoans are originally from China, but they’ve spread to nearly every corner of the world and were first found in Wisconsin in 1969. Technically they’re invasive, but they don’t seem to cause any harm. (At least they can’t sting humans.)
EASTERN SPOTTED SKUNK
Imagine a typical striped skunk. Now shrink it and stir up those stripes until they resembled blobs of white spread across the creature’s body. This curious animal is an eastern spotted skunk. (And before you ask: Yes, it sprays, too.) While it was last seen decades ago in Wisconsin, a couple of spotted skunk sightings emerged this summer, leading to speculation they are coming back.
MUDPUPPY
These rarely-seen amphibians like to keep to themselves under rocks or mud in Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers. Mudpuppies are a kind of salamander, and they can get up to 16 inches long. According to the state Department of Natural Resources, “their size, bizarre external gills, and extremely slimy skin may startle an angler who inadvertently hooks one.” Be careful out there, fisherfolk!
SALAMANDER MUSSEL
These small, shelled critters aren’t much to look at, but their life cycle is truly unique: They’re the only freshwater mussel to use something other than a fish as a host. Salamander mussel larvae attach themselves to (you guessed it) salamanders – specifically mudpuppies – which gives mudpuppies a few extra weirdness points.
