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Daddy long legs, also called harvestmen, are not true spiders. They are arachnids but are more closely related to ticks and scorpions. Unlike spiders, they do not make silk, have only one body part, and just one pair of eyes. They use their long legs for walking, sensing, and even breathing. They eat small insects, eggs, plants, fungi, and more, and are preyed on by birds, frogs, and lizards.

Garter snakes are the most common snakes in Illinois due to their adaptability to many habitats, including cities. Named for their stripe patterns, they eat only animals like worms, insects, fish and even other snakes. They swallow food whole and are not venomous to humans. No snakes in northern Illinois are dangerous to people.

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

With no clear definitions, lakes and ponds mainly differ by depth and size. If shallow and sunlight reaches the bottom, it’s a pond. If not, it’s likely a lake. Illinois has 2,900 lakes and 8,400 ponds. Lake Superior is the world’s largest freshwater lake, and Lake Michigan is the largest lake located entirely in one country. The Great Lakes hold 21% of Earth’s fresh surface water and serve over 30 million people in the U.S. and Canada.

Earthworms move using muscles that create wavelike motions through their bodies. There are more than 2700 kinds of earthworms including some giants like one in Australia that can grow up to 12 feet long. The longest ever recorded was 22 feet. One acre of land can hold up to 1 million worms. While they are not required for healthy soil their presence is a good sign that the soil is healthy.

Muskrats and beavers look similar in the water, but muskrats are much smaller, weighing 2 to 5 pounds compared to a beaver’s 35 to 65 pounds. Muskrats live mostly in water, especially in marshes where food is plentiful. They are omnivores but mainly eat plants like cattails, bulrush and waterlilies. They also eat animals such as crayfish, frogs, fish and clams.

Cacti once had leaves (which rely on rainfall) but adapted to their dry environment and evolved to have spines. They're modified leaves that reduce water loss, direct moisture to roots, provide shade, and deter predators. Cacti store water in their stems and have shallow roots to absorb the smallest amount of moisture quickly. Even Illinois has native cacti like the eastern prickly pear, which supports pollinators and produces edible fruits and pads.

Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on Earth because they spread diseases like malaria and West Nile virus. Only females bite, using the protein in blood to make eggs. Out of 200 mosquito species in the U.S., only about 12 spread illness to humans. Bites itch due to an allergic reaction to their saliva. To avoid bites, use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants in mosquito-prone areas.

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.

Striped skunks defend themselves with a powerful spray that can reach over 10 feet and smell travels miles. Most animals avoid them because of this. Before spraying, skunks warn by lifting their tails, stomping feet, hissing, and growling. If you see these signs, it’s best to back away to avoid the foul-smelling spray.

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.

Animals can’t escape to air conditioning, but they have clever ways to beat the heat. Many seek shade or cool water. Birds pant using gular fluttering to release excess body heat, reptiles burrow into the ground or dive deeper in water, and mammals may wallow in mud or cool off in ponds. Some birds even poop on their legs to cool down! Rabbits and elephants use their ears to release heat. You can help by leaving clean water out for wildlife during hot days.

Great blue herons are among the largest birds in Illinois, standing up to 4.5 feet tall with wingspans over 5.5 feet. Despite their size, they weigh only 5 to 6 pounds due to their hollow bones. These grayish-blue birds are skilled hunters, using their sharp bills to catch fish, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals. Both males and females share the same coloring.

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.

The 13-lined ground squirrel lives in underground burrows and is one of the few true hibernators in Illinois, sleeping from November to March. In warmer months, they’re found in grassy areas with short grass so they can see over it. They store food in cheek pouches and eat mostly seeds, along with insects and bird eggs. They have 13 light and dark stripes on their backs, with light spots on the dark stripes, giving them a dotted look.

Monarch butterflies go through four life stages: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and adult. This process is called metamorphosis. Monarchs rely on milkweed plants throughout their lives. They lay eggs only on milkweed, and the caterpillars feed solely on it. Without milkweed, monarchs cannot survive.

The slender glass lizard is a legless reptile found in Will County that looks like a snake but is a lizard because it has eyelids and external ears. It lives in sandy habitats and can grow up to 42 inches long. Its tail breaks easily to escape predators and regrows shorter. Active during day or night based on temperature, it eats insects and small animals. Though rarely seen, it’s not endangered but is a conservation concern in Illinois.

Lightning bugs, or fireflies, light up to find mates using special organs that produce light through a reaction with oxygen and luciferin. Different species flash unique light patterns, with males and females communicating. Not all lightning bugs can light up, but those in our area do. When catching them, be gentle, use a container with air holes, keep them only a day, and release them at night when they’re active.

Summer is perfect for digging in the dirt. Feel its texture, color and smell. Pretend to dig like animals such as birds, moles, worms or rabbits. Use tools or your hands to explore. Discover hidden treasures and create a mud museum. Play with mud pies, mud soup or build a dirt castle. When finished, fill the hole like an animal or with tools. You can even plant something before covering it up. Enjoy getting messy and creative in nature.

Poison ivy grows across most of the U.S. and can be identified by its three glossy leaflets, which change color with the seasons. It can grow as a shrub or vine. Most people are allergic to its oil, urushiol, which causes an itchy, red rash where it touches the skin. The rash is not contagious. To ease symptoms, avoid scratching and use anti-itch treatments or cool compresses.