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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.