The United States is home to a wonderful variety of wildlife, and there are many reserves and parks across the country that are dedicated to ensuring the welfare of natural habitats and organisms. While most animals begin to stir in the wee hours of the morning, there’s an array of species that are nocturnal, which means they’re primarily active at night. Listed below, are five of the most common nocturnal creatures of North America.
Opossum
Often referred to as a “possum”, the opossum is the most prevalent marsupial in the west, and among the most common of the nocturnal creatures one could witness in their neighborhood. An opossum is a very nomadic creature, meaning they don’t put much effort into building a home . They love to take advantage of human inhabitants by picking up scraps from trash cans in the night. Though commonly thought of as unclean or diseased, opossums are actually highly resistant to rabies.
Raccoon
Donning their characteristic markings, raccoons are animals that are both beloved for their cute appearance and detested for their mischievous behavior. Like an opossum, they love to investigate trash cans for yummy morsels to quell their omnivorous hunger. Though they aren’t marsupials, they can often be seen in large family groups as they waddle through ditches and yards after midnight.
Firefly
Nearly as popular as butterflies, fireflies are certainly among the nation’s most revered insects. Most people can recall trying to catch these glowing marvels at dusk, as they illuminate the atmosphere in points of glowing light. In the Great Smoky Mountains, fireflies are known to blink their lights in spectacular unison. It’s commonly thought that this bioluminescence is intended to attract mates.
Bat
These nocturnal animals are the only mammals capable of flight. A modest 30% of all bats are fruit bats, but they are native to tropical habitats. The bats indigenous to the contiguous United States rely on echo-location to capture insects at night. While some people are afraid of bats, they are actually very harmless creatures that typically avoid humans.
Owl
The owl is another beloved nocturnal animal that is famous for its flexible neck and silent flight. Most owls roost during daylight hours and venture into the darkness for rodents and small edibles. Their sense of hearing is impeccable, and their weightlessness mid-flight allows them to swoop upon prey without being noticed at all.
Wrapping up our post on 5 nocturnal creatures of North America, we thought you might also like: 10 Endangered Animal Species of North America as well as 5 Most Poisonous Insects of North America!
Featured Image from vincentdoerig/Unsplash
