5 Strange Animals in Pennsylvania | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

5 Strange Animals in Pennsylvania

At least you're not the only strange one in Pennsylvania.

3709
5 Strange Animals in Pennsylvania

If you live in the wonderful state of Pennsylvania, you know about the most common animals that reside in the state alongside humans: animals like deer, foxes, and bears. However, there are some animals that live in Pennsylvania that you may have never heard of or even seen, and I've done the honor of making a list of five strange animals in Pennsylvania.

1.) Stoat

Stoats are also known as short-tailed weasels, and they are pretty common in the state. They are nowhere closed to being extinct, and have actually secured a spot on the list of top 100 "worst invaders" because when they are introduced to a new environment, they tend to eliminate a little more than what they had to. So I guess they deserve an A+ for overachieving.

2.) Woodland Jumping Mouse

These little guys are only 8-10 inches long (most of their length is actually in their tails), and the best part about these mice is that when they get scared, they can jump 9 feet in the air. I mean can you imagine just walking in the woods and seeing a little 10 inch mouse jump almost 3 meters into the air?

3.) Eastern Spotted Skunk

Skunks can be seen everywhere in Pennsylvania, but we are all used to the skunks that have white stripes down their backs, not skunks that are spotted. They have 4 stripes down their back, but they are broken up which give the illusion of having spots, and they have a white spot on their forehead. The other difference between these skunks and normal skunks is that their bodies are more weasel-like.

4.) Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

This is basically the same case as the spotted skunk: the only difference between these squirrels and typical ones seen in Pennsylvania is their fur. These guys have 13 stripes that alternate between brown and white, and can sometimes be broken up to seem like spots. Also, unlike most squirrels, they hibernate. They go away in October, roll into stiff balls, and breath once every five minutes until they emerge from their nests in March/April.

5.) Star-nosed Mole

The "star" located around this mole's nose is certainly not used to attract members of the opposite sex. It contains 25,000 sensory receptors, which means the star is used as as a touch organ. It's only about the size of a hamster, which is great because if this was the size of a cat, I'd pack my bags and get out of dodge really fast.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

557914
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

443746
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments