Wildlife

Squirrels are well known, agile mammals with bushy tails, commonly found in forests, parks, and urban neighborhoods across North America. They are members of the rodent family, a classification based on their strong, continuously growing teeth adapted for gnawing.

They primarily eat nuts, seeds, fruits, and occasionally small insects. While squirrels are important for seed dispersal and forest regeneration, they can become a nuisance by raiding bird feeders, chewing on structures, or nesting in attics.

Raccoons are clever, adaptable mammals, easily recognized by their distinctive black facial mask and ringed tail. Inhabiting mountains, forests, and urban environments across North America, raccoons are primarily nocturnal and most active at night.

Omnivorous by nature, raccoons feed on fruits, insects, small animals, and even human food waste. Curious and intelligent, they frequently explore trash bins or enter attics and crawl spaces in search of food and shelter, often becoming a nuisance for homeowners.

Skunks are small mammals, easily recognized by their black-and-white coloring and their ability to spray a strong, unpleasant odor as a defense mechanism. Mostly nocturnal, they inhabit a variety of environments across North America.

Omnivorous in diet, skunks feed on insects, small animals, fruits, and plants, making them valuable for natural pest control. However, they may dig in lawns or gardens while foraging and sometimes enter crawl spaces in search of food or shelter. Their defensive spray can also cause issues for homeowners when they come into close contact with people or pets.

Bats are remarkable creatures known for their ability to fly, a trait unique among mammals. These nocturnal animals are found in nearly every part of the world, thriving in a wide variety of environments, from forests and caves to bustling urban areas.

They use echolocation to navigate and hunt for insects in the dark, playing a vital role in controlling the pest population. While bats are beneficial to the environment, they are commonly known to roost in attics or buildings, which can lead to unwanted noise, odor, and potential health concerns for homeowners.

Flying Squirrels are intriguing mammals known for the membrane of skin between their limbs that allows them to maneuver through the air. While they don’t actually fly, this membrane gives them the ability to glide gracefully between trees with relative ease.

Being nocturnal in nature, their large eyes are well-suited for nighttime activity, allowing them to see clearly in the dark. While they primarily live in forests, flying squirrels are known to enter attics or buildings in search of shelter, resulting in potential damage to homes and businesses.

Possums, also called opossums, are the only marsupials native to North America. These nocturnal animals are highly adaptable, living in forests, fields, and even city neighborhoods. They are easily identified by their grayish-white fur, pointed snouts, and long, hairless tails.

Possums contribute to the ecosystem by eating insects and cleaning up decaying organic matter. Despite these benefits, they can become problematic when they approach homes, foraging through trash or taking shelter in crawl spaces.

Armadillos are distinctive mammals known for their hard, protective shells that act as armor against predators. These mostly nocturnal animals live throughout the Americas, with the nine-banded armadillo being the species most commonly found in the southern United States.
They are excellent diggers, using their sharp claws to search for insects, which make up the majority of their diet. While digging is essential to their survival, it can also create challenges for homeowners. Armadillos can damage gardens, lawns, and can even cause foundational issues when burrowing underneath homes.

Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are burrowing mammals found throughout much of North America. They are mostly active during the day and are members of the marmot family, a group of large ground squirrels known for their digging habits, and in many species, seasonal hibernation.

Groundhogs feed on grasses, plants, and vegetables, making them important herbivores in their ecosystems. However, their extensive digging can damage gardens, lawns, and even undermine the foundations of structures, creating unique challenges for homeowners.

Chipmunks are small, striped rodents commonly found in forests, gardens, and suburban areas throughout North America. Active during the day, they are well known for storing food in their cheek pouches, allowing them to carry food back to their burrows. These pockets help them store supplies for later consumption, especially in preparation for winter.

Their diet consists of nuts, seeds, fruits, and occasionally small insects, and they play an important role in seed dispersal. However, chipmunks can become problematic when they dig burrows near homes or forage in gardens.

Moles are small, burrowing mammals recognized for their cylindrical bodies, velvety fur, and powerful front claws designed for digging. They are mostly active underground and are found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

Feeding mainly on insects and other soil-dwelling invertebrates, moles play a valuable role in controlling pests. However, their extensive tunneling can damage lawns, gardens, and golf courses, often causing frustrating homeowners and landscapers.

Birds are a diverse group of warm-blooded vertebrates found across the globe. They are distinguished by their feathers, toothless beaks and the ability to lay hard shelled eggs. The United States is home to approximately 1,125 bird species across all 50 states. They can inhabit a variety of environments, including forests, deserts, urban areas, and agricultural landscapes.

Birds can have a varied diet that includes seeds, fruits, insects, and small animals. They contribute significantly to ecosystems by dispersing seeds, controlling insect populations and acting as both predator and prey.

However, some birds can carry diseases that pose risks to humans and pets, such as histoplasmosis, which affects the respiratory system. Their droppings may contaminate surfaces, gardens, and water sources, so proper management is important for maintaining health and safety.

Snakes are exceptional reptiles, easily identified by their long, legless bodies and found in a wide range of habitats worldwide, from forests and grasslands to wetlands and urban areas. The United States is home to roughly 120 different species of snakes that can vary greatly in size, coloration, and behavior. While a fear of snakes is common, many species are non-venomous and harmless to humans.

Depending on the species and environment, they primarily feed on rodents, insects, birds, and eggs. While snakes play an important role in controlling pest and rodent populations, it can be common for them to enter homes, garages, or gardens, which may cause concern for some individuals. Among the species most commonly encountered in residential areas are rat snakes, which are non-venomous but can still startle homeowners when present near living spaces.

Roof rats are slender, agile rodents that often live above ground in trees, attics, and rooftops, particularly in warmer climates. Like all rodents, they have sharp, continuously growing front teeth used for gnawing.

They are omnivores, feeding on fruits, nuts, seeds, and small insects. Roof rats can become a nuisance for homeowners by chewing wires, accessing food storage, and nesting in elevated spaces, which can lead to property damage.

Norway rats are robust, ground-dwelling rodents commonly found in urban and rural areas worldwide. They are mostly nocturnal and are known for their strong, chisel-like teeth, which allow them to gnaw on a wide variety of materials.

They are omnivorous, feeding on grains, fruits, small animals, and human food waste. While they play a role in ecosystems as scavengers, Norway rats can pose serious health risks and cause structural damage when they invade homes and buildings.

Mice are small mammals recognized for their sharp sense of smell and swift, agile movements. Mostly active at night, they inhabit a wide range of environments across the globe, including fields, forests, and human dwellings.

Their diet mainly consists of seeds, grains, and small insects, and they serve an important role as prey for numerous predators. However, when they enter homes, mice can cause damage by gnawing on wires, food, and insulation, and they can transmit diseases that pose health risks to humans and animals.

Voles are small, stocky rodents with short tails and rounded heads, commonly found in grassy fields, forests, and gardens. They are mostly active during the day but can be seen at night, depending on the species.

These rodents feed on grasses, seeds, roots, and bark, serving as a key food source for numerous predators. Nevertheless, their feeding habits can cause considerable damage to gardens, lawns, and young trees.