Creature features

When we think about rodents, we usually think first of small creatures, but not all rodents are small. A squirrel is a rodent, and they are certainly larger than mice and gerbils. Muskrats are rodents too. Even beavers are rodents, but they aren't the largest rodent of all. That title goes to the capybara, a curious looking animal that can grow to be twice the size of a beaver!

Peregrine falcons are rare but incredible birds found on six continents. Known as the fastest-diving bird, they can reach speeds up to 200 mph when hunting. They mainly eat other birds and can migrate up to 9,000 miles. Once nearly gone from the U.S. due to DDT, conservation efforts helped their recovery. Today, they’re thriving with a global population of 340,000.

The double-crested cormorant is a sleek, black water bird known for expert diving and fishing. Found across the U.S., it dives underwater to catch fish using webbed feet and sharp-hooked beaks. After fishing, they spread their wings to dry. You can spot them nesting in colonies at preserves like Lake Renwick. Once hunted, their population has since rebounded and is now stable.

Moles are expert diggers that spend most of their lives underground. The eastern mole, common in Illinois, digs in soft, moist soil using strong, shovel-like front feet. They build shallow tunnels to hunt insects and deep tunnels for rest and raising young. Though rarely seen, moles help improve soil health by aerating and turning it over. Despite poor vision, their adaptations make them perfectly suited for life below ground.

The indigo bunting is a small, bright blue songbird seen in Illinois during breeding season. Only males are a vibrant blue, and their color comes from light scattering, not pigment. They sing sweet, repetitive songs and migrate up to 1,200 miles, using the stars to navigate. Females build low nests and raise the young. Though their population has declined, they remain common and can be found in shrubby areas across the eastern U.S.

Fennec foxes, the world’s smallest foxes, live in the Sahara Desert and stay cool with large ears that release heat and with their fast-breathing rate. Weighing 2 to 3 pounds, they are nocturnal, hunting insects, rodents and plants at night. Their sandy-colored fur acts as camouflage, helping them hide from predators. Fennec foxes are monogamous and raise kits in burrows. Though often near others, they are solitary and rely on adaptations to thrive in harsh environments.

The black-crowned night heron is a short, stocky, mostly nocturnal wetland bird. Once common in Illinois, it’s now endangered in the state due to habitat loss. These herons hunt at night, except during breeding season where they hunt during the say. They breed in colonies and care for their young together. Though rare locally, they live on every continent except Antarctica and Australia. A large colony now lives at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, helping scientists learn how to p

Eastern chipmunks are small ground squirrels found in eastern North America’s forests. Active during the day, they don’t fully hibernate but rest in burrows and emerge to forage on milder winter days. They use their cheek pouches to carry food and store it in underground caches. Chipmunks eat fruits, seeds, insects and more. They communicate with high-pitched calls and prefer to stay near their burrows to avoid predators.