Creature features

Will County hosts 8 owl species, including short- and long-eared owls. Their "ears" are actually feather tufts used for communication. Their true ears are inner openings, hidden by facial feathers that direct sound. Short-eared owls have light-colored faces, streaked bellies, and roost on grasslands. Long-eared owls have orange faces, striped bellies, and prefer forests. Their calls and flight patterns differ, and winter is the best time to spot these camouflaged, nocturnal b

Wolf spiders are fast, hairy hunters found worldwide except Antarctica. Their drab colors blend in with nature and protect them from predators. Named for their wolf-like traits, wolf spiders don’t spin webs but chase or ambush prey at night, using eight eyes and reflective eyeshine for vision. Females carry their egg sacs and young on their backs. They can live anywhere, but will most likely be found in lawns, under leaves, and rocks. Wolf spiders are fascinating and closer t

Named for their stripes, the nonvenomous common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, and all of its subspecies, are the most widespread snake across the United States as they are very adaptable and can survive in extreme temperatures. They prefer grassy, moist habitats. Garter snakes can have as many as 80 babies who are fully independent at birth. All snakes are carnivores and rely on their keen senses of smell and vision to hunt. Garter snakes not only slither but can also sw

Bluegills are small freshwater fish found throughout Illinois and are the state fish. Their fins give them speed and agility to escape predators and catch prey. They hide in plants and logs, use sharp dorsal spines for defense, and detect water vibrations to sense danger or food. With good eyesight and a special throat suction, they eat insects, larvae and small fish. Despite their size, bluegills thrive thanks to smart adaptations.

Though they may look like an ant, the ant-mimicking jumping spider only has two body parts (cephalothorax and abdomen), eight legs, and no antennae, whereas insects have three body parts (a head, a thorax and an abdomen), six legs, and antennae. This spider looks like an ant to protect itself from potential predators since many species avoid eating ants. Ant-mimicking jumping spiders mimic two different species of ants during their lifecycle and can engage in certain ant beha

Earthworms, non-native to the Midwest, are vital to soil health. These segmented annelids tunnel through soil, eating organic matter and enriching it with its waste. Despite enhancing soil quality, some species - like jumping worms - can harm ecosystems. Worms are either epigeic, endogeic, or anecic depending on the soil depth they live at. Their burrowing improves soil structure, drainage, plant growth and help prevent pollution.

Common in North America, giant mayflies have been around for 300 million years. They live for a few days as adults, existing only to mate and create offspring. Uniquely, they have two winged stages. Their nymph stage can last from four months to two years. As adults, they may swarm in large groups. Since they are sensitive to pollution, giant mayflies are indicator species giving humans insight of water quality.

Dragonflies and damselflies look similar but have key differences. Dragons are larger, rest with wings open, and have fused eyes. Damsels are slender, rest with wings closed, and have separated eyes. Both begin life as aquatic nymphs with unique gills and are skilled insect hunters. Dragons fly fast and high; damsels flutter low. Will County is home to many colorful species, including green darners, Halloween pennants, and familiar bluets.