Creature features

Bats aren’t blind or flying mice - they're unique and the only mammals capable of true flight. Over 1,400 species exist, including insect-eaters in the Midwest and desert and tropical pollinators that help produce foods like mangoes and chocolate. Most bats have few predators but face threats like white-nose syndrome. They give birth to just one pup a year, which can be one-third their size. And just like us, they have belly buttons too!

Dragonflies are harmless and often seen near water. They control insect populations and are indicators of healthy ecosystems. There are 7,000 species of dragonflies worldwide. Damselflies appear similar; however, dragonflies rest with wings out and have bulkier bodies. Dragonflies start their lives in the water and live there for up to 3 years. Their huge eyes offer near 360° vision, UV light detection, and great hunting abilities when paired with their flight skills.

The bald eagle became the U.S. symbol for its striking look and native roots. Its white head and wide wingspan stand out. Found in 49 states, it builds massive nests and eats a varied diet, mostly fish. Though once endangered, conservation helped it recover. Like America, bald eagles are bold, resilient, and big, making them a fitting national mascot.

Ants are essential insects known for their strength, teamwork, and farming skills. With an estimated 20 quadrillion worldwide, they outnumber humans by millions to one. Ants improve soil, farm fungi and aphids, and live in large colonies with complex roles. They can lift thousands of times their body weight and communicate using pheromones and vibrations. Some colonies even span thousands of miles.

The spiny softshell turtle stands out with its soft, flat shell and snorkel-like nose. Unlike most turtles, it has thorn-like spines along the edges of their shell and webbed feet that make it a fast swimmer. Found in freshwater habitats across the Midwest, it hides in sandy bottoms and uses its long nose to breathe while buried. Omnivorous and cold-blooded like other turtles, it basks in the sun to warm up. Males stay small and light-colored, while females grow larger and da

Carpenter bees drill into wood to nest and lay their eggs. They resemble bumblebees but have shiny abdomens. There is no queen bee, but rather a female hierarchy: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Females can sting but rarely do. Males guard nests but can’t sting. Though sometimes pests, damaging wooden parts of your home, they’re important pollinators and part of the food chain. You can deter them with paint or traps.

Snapping turtles have existed for about 90 million years and lived with the dinosaurs. There are two snapping turtle species – the alligator and the common snapping turtle. The common snapping turtle can live up to 30 years in the wild and have a bite force of 210 newtons on average. However, they are no danger to swimmers. Their body is larger than their shells which offers less retractability for protection. Snapping turtles are omnivores and prefer shallow water with muddy

Muskrats are social aquatic rodents often mistaken for beavers or otters. They have long, scaly tails that act as rudders, webbed feet, and waterproof fur. Smaller than beavers, they build lodges or burrows near water and can swim up to 3 mph. Male muskrats use a musky odor from their scent glands to communicate and to warn intruders. They splash their tails to warn of danger and have adapted to live in the water. Muskrats are omnivores and prefer marshes and wetland habitats