Wildlife At Home
Turns out you don't have to drive hours to the nearby zoo to get a peek at some interesting animals - there are plenty that you might come across in your own backyard! From common critters like squirrels and rabbits to more dangerous ones like bears and coyotes, here are 20 animals you might see just outside your window.
1. Rabbits
These adorable, furry little critters are always a welcome sight in your backyard, even if they're busy digging up your plants or damaging your garden. Looks like their cuteness helps them hide just how much of a menace they can be.
2. Raccoons
Let's be honest, raccoons have a pretty bad rep for being pesky, unwanted visitors in anyone's home. Known for making a mess, particularly with your trash bins, these sneaky animals may look cute, but we know home owners will do whatever it takes to keep them out. Fences, locked containers, you name it.
3. Squirrels
Squirrels are harmless and frequent backyard visitors that most home owners won't even blink twice for. You can always find them up in the trees or scavenging through the grass for some leftover nuts and seeds. You might want to be careful if you've got a bird feeder though - these little animals won't hesitate to steal what's not theirs.
4. Mice
Even though mice are common pets, seeing a wild one running out and about in your garden might create a bit of fear. The main concern stems from being worried they'll find a way into your actual home! After all, we know how sneaky and slippery these tiny rodents can be to catch.
5. Opossums
Most of the times, you'll simply find opossums just passing through your garden instead of staying as a long-term guest, but they can become a nuisance if they catch a whiff that you've got easy-to-access food lying around. Because while they might be tricksters that play dead to avoid predators, they're more than capable of destroying your garbage and leaving a mess.
6. Bees
We know that most people prefer keeping their distance from bees out of fear of getting stung, but seeing plenty of these insects flying around your garden is good thing. They're just doing their job and pollinating the flowers, so make sure you let them be!
7. Crows
Waking up to crows squawking is definitely one way to get up on the wrong side of the bed. But sadly, these birds are common visitors in most people's backyards, meaning it'll likely happen more than once in your life. While they normally leave you be, if you notice they start destroying your plants or crops, you'll definitely have to look into how to get rid of them.
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8. Rats
People are already terrified of mice, but rats are a different story. The sheer size difference in these rodents make rats much more feared, which is often doubled by their frequent connection to the Bubonic plague. They tend to be unwanted guests in backyards, with owners taking extreme measures to make sure they keep them at bay.
9. Chipmunks
Yes, chipmunks are different from squirrels! While they come from the same animal family, chipmunks tend to be much smaller, have distinctive striped fur, and look much cuter. They're definitely little critters that get a lot more appreciation than the others on this list, that is, until they start damaging your plants or garden.
10. Butterflies
If all creepy crawlies looked like butterflies, the world would be a much less scary place, wouldn't you agree? Coming in so many different beautiful and vibrant colors, butterflies are rarely ever complained about. In fact, they almost seem like good luck charms that put a smile on people's faces when they pass through their backyards.
11. Snakes
While it'll definitely give you a scare, garter snakes are creatures that can show up in your backyard. And while the idea of a snake slithering around might terrify you, they actually help out with pest control if that's something you've been worried about. And to help reassure you even further, they're non-venomous and aren't harmful to humans, as long as you don't do something to upset one.
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12. Skunks
Skunks might not look like vicious beasts, but we all know why people are terrified of them: it's the smell that might come with them. While they might not be the most common garden visitor around, if they stop by, make sure you keep your distance. Because if you manage to scare them or make them feel defensive, they'll release a stink bomb you won't be able to escape from.
13. Foxes
Depending on where you live and what's near your neighborhood, you might come home to a sly fox sneaking around your backyard. While they might dig around or ruin some of your plants, it's best you stay inside; these aren't animals you want to be fending off face-to-face. Instead, consider scaring them off with loud noises or flashing lights.
14. Spiders
Arguably a creepy crawlie that most people are scared of, spiders are sadly common sights you'll find in your backyard. While they're technically good creatures to have around as they help manage pests and unwanted bugs, do they really have to look so unsettling?
15. Robins
One of the most common backyard birds you'll likely come across are American Robins which have learned to adapt well to gardens and lawns managed by humans. They're beautiful animals that won't cause you much harm, so you can sit back and appreciate their presence without fear.
16. Coyotes
If you happen to see a coyote appear in your backyard, do your best to scare it away using loud noises, bright lights, or turning on your sprinklers. These animals are much more dangerous than the others on this list, and if you have young children or pets, you'll definitely want to keep them away. Just make sure you don't put yourself in harm's way!
17. Ants
While ants are typically forgotten little insects that go about their day wandering your garden floor, they can become a nuisance if they start making their way into your home. They're one of those backyard pests that aren't annoying until they get in your way.
18. Bears
If you know bears have shown up near or around your neighborhood before, make it a priority to not leave any food out and properly secure your trash bins. These are not animals you can easily deal with, and can pose huge threats to you and your family's safety if you don't know how to take care of it.
19. Groundhogs
You might only think about groundhogs once a year, but if you happen to have one stay as a long-term guest in your backyard, they're about to make your life difficult. Known to be pesky rodents that eat your plants and dig holes everywhere, you'll definitely have to build fences around your precious belongings if you want to keep these animals away.
20. Slugs
While slugs are harmless animals that move at a glacial pace, most people aren't very fond of them. After all, their sticky, slimy, and gooey appearance isn't exactly fun to look at. However, make sure you let them be because while they aren't pretty bugs, they are important in maintaining your garden's health and ecosystem.
