Critically endangered...alien invaders?!?  We are not talking about critters across the world or aliens from Mars...we are talking about the plants, animals, and insects found in natural areas near you!

photo of ornate box turtle
Gypsy moth caterpillar
The gypsy moth (caterpillar) is a serious defoliator of trees and shrubs in North America.
Read More
Spiny Water Flea
Spiny water fleas eat zooplankton and compete directly with small fish that also need to eat it.
Read More
photo of spongy moth showing feathery antennae
When spongy moths have an "outbreak," the caterpillars defoliate trees (eat all the leaves).
Read More
a huge pile of zebra mussel shells
These invasive critters remove incredible amounts of food from the water.
Read More
Blanchard's cricket frog in the mud
Learn more about the Blanchard's Cricket Frog.
Read More
Bobolink
This colorful bird is well suited to life in the prairie. Its tan, black and white markings hide it well in the yellow-tan grasses.
Read More
Lynx
You'll probably never see a lynx in the wild. They are uncommon in Wisconsin and pretty secretive.
Read More
long, skinny eastern ribbonsnake resting on dried leaves
This gartersnake resembles other gartersnakes at first glance.
Read More
Emerald Ash Borer on leaf
Once these invaders get into a tree, the tree always dies.
Read More
photo of gray ratsnake sunning on rocks
When looking for snakes, you might not think to look up.
Read More
Greater Prairie Chicken in a field
Other names for this bird include pinneated grouse, prairie hen, and old yellowlegs.
Read More
Karner Blue Butterfly on leaf
Beauty and grace best describe this federally endangered species.
Read More
Karner blue butterfly on a leaf
The karner blue butterfly life history.
Read More
Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle
The multicolored Asian lady beetles look like common "ladybugs."
Read More
The Flying Squirrel
It's small, furry, and "flies" from tree to tree.
Read More
ornate box turtle resting on a rock
The ornate box turtle is an endangered species in Wisconsin.
Read More
Peregrine Falcon
Faster Than A Speeding Bullet?
Read More
Pickerel Frog
Learn more about the Pickerel Frog.
Read More
Pine Marten in tree
The pine marten is nocturnal and we don't know much about them.
Read More
photo of queensnake resting on a branch
This beautiful snake calls water home.
Read More
Round Goby
This invader is a bottom dwelling fish with a large head, resembling a tadpole.
Read More
slender glass lizard moving through grass
The name for this lizard is appropriate. When it's caught sometimes its tail breaks into many pieces like glass.
Read More
Knapweed close-up in field
Spotted knapweed secretes chemicals into the soil that kill surrounding plants.
Read More
Wolf pack
Have you ever heard a wolf howl in the wild? Not many people have.
Read More
western ribbonsnake resting on sand
There are less than a half dozen records of this endangered snake being seen in Wisconsin.
Read More
Whooping Crane
2006 marked the first year that whooping cranes hatched in the wild in the Midwest in over 100 years!
Read More
Wild Parsnip in field
Scientific name: Pastinaca sativa
Read More
wod turtle resting on forest floor
This medium-sized turtle is most easily recognized by its shell.
Read More