Indiana Indiana Indiana Indiana Mammal Mammal Mammal

Beaver Allegheny Badger Woodrat Bobcat

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Cottontail Coyote Rabbit Fox Squirrel Gray Fox Bobcat Beaver Badger Allegheny Woodrat The Allegheny woodrat is a The bobcat (Felis rufus) is a During the early history of Indiana, The badger is well-equipped to medium-sized nocturnal moderate-sized member of the beavers were a very valuable fur . live up to its nickname of the Their pelts were used in place of currency similar in appearance to a cat family. The name is “earth-mover.” Its powerful by fur trappers, traders, and Indians white-footed mouse. An adult appropriate because they sport forelegs and long claws allow it a stubby tail only four or five throughout the newly explored Midwest. In woodrat is 15-18 inches in to easily dig ground squirrels inches long. Bobcats range in fact, it was disputes over trapping rights for length which includes the and gophers out of their length from 30 to 50 inches, beaver that fueled the French and Indian seven-inch long tail. Unlike Wars. During the 1920s, large beaver pelts stand about 2 feet high and burrows. Badgers are very other rats, the woodrat’s tail is were worth as much as $100 each. weigh from 15 to 30 pounds. powerful , but are not densely haired and is distinctly Unfortunately, the demand for beaver was aggressive unless provoked. In bicolored: brownish black on Large tufts of fur on the cheeks too great, and by 1840, beaver were are characteristic of the fact, rather than engaging in a top and white below. The fur is considered rare in Indiana. In 1935, the long, soft and brownish-gray or species. The fur is reddish- Indiana Department of Conservation fight, badgers often dig brown above and a whitish themselves into a hole for cinnamon in color with a white obtained a few breeding pairs of beaver belly and feet. An adult woodrat below, and black spots or from Wisconsin and released them on defense. Man and packs of weighs approximately nine streaks are throughout the coat. Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. As dogs are the chief predators of ounces. Immature woodrats are Bobcats live as long as 10 to 12 the population grew, some moved into badgers in Indiana, but coyotes more gray in color, particularly years in the wild. Eerie screams adjacent counties while others were may take a few young each on the belly. are often emitted by bobcats trapped and released in other parts of the spring. during the night. state. Presently, beaver are found in almost every county.

Gray Fox Fox Squirrel Coyote Cottontail Rabbit

A small wild canine moves as The fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), To many Hoosiers, the mention of The eastern cottontail rabbit silently as a shadow among found throughout the state, is coyotes evokes images of cowboys (Sylvilagus floridanus) is found Hoosier woodlands on a the largest of the 4 tree squirrel and campfires, the open plains and throughout the eastern two- summer night. Sensitive ears species in Indiana. The other perhaps a spine-tingling nocturnal thirds of the United States and and nostrils probe damp air tree squirrels are the gray chorus by wild “prairie wolves” south through Mexico. In this currents for sounds and scents squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), overlooking the vast western range, there are 12 subspecies of prey. A pair of eyes equipped red squirrel (Tamiasciurus expanse. They would be surprised to with only one native to Indiana, for nocturnal vision search for hudsonicus), and southern discover that coyotes (Canis latrans) Sylvilagus floridanus mearnsii. movement ahead on the forest flying squirrel (Glacomys are native to Indiana soil. Prior to the The cottontail is reddish brown floor. A deer mouse foraging in volans). settlement of Indiana, coyotes were to gray along the back and a carpet of leaves, feels the primarily restricted to original prairie sides, while the underside is weight of a fur-lined paw and for regions to the state. With the gray to white. The underside of an instant the crushing teeth as clearing of forests for farming, the tail is snow white and is a gray fox tosses the ill-fated coyotes have consistently expanded very bright when the rabbit rodent over a shoulder. their distribution. Today, coyotes are runs, thus the name “cottontail.” found throughout Indiana. Indiana Indiana Indiana Indiana Mammal Mammal Mammal Mammal

Muskrat Opossum Bats Mink

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Turkey Raccoon Red Fox Striped Skunk

Opossum Muskrat Mink Indiana Bats

The spark of life barely flickers Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) Mink (Mustela vison) are about Although bats are often in his brain. His ancestors resemble large field mice with none the size of a small house cat, mistreated and misunderstood, walked in the shadow of of the offensive traits or habits of the but their bodies are these are beneficial dinosaurs and mingled with common rat. They weigh about three considerably more elongate, and important components of horses that grew only 12 inches pounds, have bead like eyes, and and their legs are the ecosystem. They also eat tall. Slow, clumsy and low on their ears nearly concealed in dense proportionately much shorter. many night-flying insects, the intelligence scale, the fur. The hind feet are quite large, and Males are larger than females. including crop pests. opossum is Indiana's most while not webbed, have stiff hair Adult males average about two ancient mammal and seems between the toes, which aid in pounds and are from 24 to 27 Despite the many benefits of destined to follow us to the swimming. The tail flattened on the inches in length. A few males bats, people should avoid stars. sides and serves as a rudder. Most may reach weights up to 4 contact with them and should muskrats have long, dark, reddish- pounds. Mature females are not handle them. Bats can carry brown fur on the upper parts of the from 17 to 21 inches long and rabies. Dogs and cats can body and short, silver-tipped fur usually weigh about 1 1/2 to two encounter bats, especially bats underneath. Guard hairs are long pounds. In both sexes, the well- that are sick or injured, and and durable while the underfur is furred tail comprises about one- should therefore be vaccinated fine, soft and waterproof. This third of the 's body against rabies. Even if bats are mammal is well equipped for its length. healthy, they should not be aquatic habitat but is awkward and at handled because they are a disadvantage on land. fragile.

Stripped Skunk Turkey Red Fox Raccoon The striped skunk is considered by many All domestic turkeys are folks and unfortunate farm dogs to be a The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a small wild The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is descendants of those taken from disgusting beast and general pest. The dog. It has a pointed muzzle, prominent one of Indiana’s most likable ears and a long, bushy tail tipped in white. the wild in North America and skunk is actually a non-aggressive, tidy mammals. While many They appear yellowish-red from a Central America. Genuine wild animal that serves the beneficial purpose Hoosiers have difficulty distance. A closer look will reveal the turkeys resemble their tame of insect and rodent control. It is very identifying a Franklin’s ground relatives, but generations of white belly, throat and inner ears. Other aware of the respect it enjoys and will squirrel or some other small escaping meat eaters has color phases occur, but they are not rarely run from a threat. When annoyed he mammal, the raccoon is a resulted in extreme wariness and will raise his bushy tail, lower his head and common. These variations are silver preference for rapid take off and (black fur with white hairs sprinkled stranger to none. It raids our assume an aiming position, and as a last sweet corn patches, gives the flights of more than a mile. resort, commence firing. The offender then among the black), cross (a portion of the hound dog a run for his money becomes a victim of two narrow streams of fur is black and a portion of the pelt is red, The wild turkey’s naked head and on star-filled autumn nights, and yellow fluid secreted from a double and the black fur runs across the neck have bluish cast, while the barreled nozzle in the skunk’s anal tract. shoulders and along the back forming a its delicate human-like foot overall appearance is glossy The skunk can accurately dispense this cross when seen from above), and black prints are embedded along black with a metallic sheen. Hens secretion at distances up to 10 feet and (all fur is black; this is also known as the countless streams, rivers, lakes are smaller than gobblers, less can shoot five or six spurts at the intruder. melanistic phase). The long guard hairs and ponds scattered across the lustrous and do not have the If the victim is hit in the eyes, temporary making up their colorful pelt cause them Hoosier landscape. bristly black beard hanging from blindness will occur. A near miss will cause to appear larger then they actually are. the center of the breast. The average adult weighs from 8 to 14 nausea, gagging and extreme discomfort. pounds.

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Bobwhite

Quail White-Tailed Bald Eagle Barn Owl Deer

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Loggerhead Cardinal Osprey Canada Goose Shrike

Bobwhite Quail Barn Owl Bald Eagle White-Tailed Deer

Quail appear to be drab and Also known as the “monkey-faced Designated as the national bird White-tailed deer are Indiana’s sole rather ordinary, but a close look owl,” the barn owl (Tyto alba) has a of the United States in 1782, representative of the family Cervidae, will reveal color combinations distinctive, heart-shaped face, dark the bald eagle nested which includes mule deer, elk and moose. and contrasts. Throat, chin and eyes, long scaley legs and no ear throughout the nation. The best known characteristics of this stripe are white on the cock, tufts. This medium-sized owl stands Biologists believe that a loss of family is that males bear antlers. Antlers, unlike horns, are not permanent buff on the hen. Underparts are 16 inches tall and appears white wetland habitat caused the structures. Male cervids develop and tawny and white, blending with below and golden-tan from above. drastic decline of the bald eagle shed antlers annually as part of their chestnut, black and gray. Each Barn owls never hoot like barred in Indiana. The use of industrial reproductive cycle. Whitetail antler breast feather sports a black owls or great horned owls, but their pesticides in the 1950s and development begins in mid-March to April chevron. Upper parts are a calls at night consist of eerie 1960s caused the bald eagle and continues through August or mixture of warm brown, a tinge screams or raspy hissing sounds. population to slip to an all-time September. The growing bone is covered of deep yellow and shadings of Barn owls get their name because low. Eagles absorbed these with a hairy skin called velvet which dries black. The birds can achieve nests are often placed in barns near toxic chemicals through the fish up and begins to slough off as the antler hardens. By rubbing the antlers on invisibility by merely “freezing” rural homesteads and in small that they consumed. When saplings, bucks speed up the loss of in light cover. They weigh from towns. governmental officials finally velvet and polish their new racks. The 6 to 8 ounces and are about 10 banned the use of these antlers are shed in January or February, inches long. destructive chemicals, the bald after breeding season. The number of eagle began the long journey points on a buck's rack is not an down the road to recovery. indication of age. A combination of factors, including age, nutrition and genetics affect antler development.

Loggerhead Shrike Osprey Cardinal Canada Goose Shrikes are usually seen perched The osprey is one of the most along roads on fences or utility Named for the red hat and Giant Canada geese are the widely distributed birds in the lines, scanning for prey. They robes of a church prince, the largest of the 11 subspecies of world, found on every continent feed mainly on insects, especially cardinal was chosen as the Canada geese. Some males except Antarctica. The grasshoppers and beetles; official state bird in 1933. reach weights exceeding 20 population declined rapidly in however, they may eat any Commonly seen by Indiana pounds, but the average the 1950s - 1970s due to DDT, animal they can overpower, residents along hedgerows, weights are 12 lbs., 8 oz. for loss of breeding grounds and including small mammals, birds, wood margins and roadsides, adult males and 12 lbs., 2 oz. poaching. The ban of DDT in snakes, frogs and even, crayfish. the cardinal is the only red bird for adult females. Giant Canada combination with statewide They often hang their prey in tree with a crest in the United geese tend to be large, have conservation programs, or on barbed wire fences before States. light-colored breast feathers, a including the use of artificial eating it. This habit, unique white check patch, white flecks nesting platforms, helped the among North American birds, has on their heads, a longer bill and population regain its footing. earned them in nickname, greater leg length than other "butcher birds." They do this races of Canada geese. mainly to anchor their food in order to tear it apart but may also store food in this way for later use. Indiana Bird Indiana Bird Indiana Indiana Insects Insects

Candy- Peregrine Stink Bug Ruffed Grouse Stripped Leaf Falcon hopper

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Oak Wee Harlequin Milkweed Bug Treehopper Planthopper Bug

Candy-stripped Leaf MeatStink & BeansBug MeatRuffed & BeansGrouse PeregrineGRAINS Falcon Hopper The brown marmorated stink Ruffed grouse, often called “wood’s The peregrine falcon (Falco bug,Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is pheasant,” are found in some of the peregrinus) is a medium-sized The candy-striped leafhopper (CSL) a voracious eater that damages large forested areas of south central hawk about the size of a crow. (Graphocephala coccinea) is one fruit, vegetable, and ornamental Indiana. These fine game birds are Once called “duck hawks, ”adults spiffy little insect – easily overlooked, crops in North America. With about three times the size of quail, have a distinctive dark hood and but once seen, unforgettable. funding from USDA’s Specialty and when flushed from cover they moustache, cream-colored throat, Because of its coat(s) of many colors Crop Research Initiative, our resound with a volume equal to their blue barring and yellow soft parts. (there are a number of sub-species team of more than 50 size. In eating quality, the savory Immatures are brown in color to be reckoned with), it has a bunch researchers is uncovering the white meat is similar to with buffy feather edging, heavily of common names, like candy- pest’s secrets to find quail. Ruffed grouse depend on streaked underparts, bluish-gray striped, scarlet and green, red- management solutions that will young forests of to greenish-yellow soft parts, and banded, and red-and-blue protect our food, our seedling/sapling/pole size a less distinct hood and leafhopper. CSLs have yellow legs, environment, and our farms. hardwoods that were historically moustache. Adult birds are 15 to a yellow head with a black racing created by either natural 20 inches tall, with females about stripe through the eyes, and a bright disturbances (e.g. tornadoes, fire one-fourth to one-third larger than blue/green and red/red-orange- storms, insect outbreaks) across a males. In flight, the wings and tail striped thorax and wings. Grilled large continuous forested landscape are long and pointed, and the or within transitional zones between head is relatively large. Chicken grasslandsGrilled and forests. Fish Grits

Milkweed Bug Wee Harlequin Bug Planthopper Treehopper Meat & Beans Fruits Poor Choice Fruits The large milkweed The Wee Harlequin Bug is also Plant hopper easily recognized The Oak Treehopper is bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus, is known as the Two-spotted Stink becauseJunk of the hollow,Food enlarged an insect species common to parts colored orange-red and black. It Bug and the Twice -stabbed Stink head extension that may appear of North America. They will be has a long proboscis and is a Bug. Although there are a luminous hoppers feed on plant found almost exclusively on oak piercing sucking insect. It feeds number of other insects that are juices and excrete honeydew, a trees. The Oak Treehopper appears on the seeds, leaves and stems black and red, the shield-like sweet by-product of digestion. to inhabit both of milkweed (Asclepias). It is shape of this insect, and the evergreen and deciduous oak found in small groups on position and shape of the red Plant hoppers, ranging in size species with equal enthusiasm. milkweed often on the stems, markings should be sufficient to from 1 cm (0.4 inch) in cooler They tend to congregate in large leaves and on the seed pods. allow a positive identification. climates to about 5 cm in the numbers. At times, their numbers The bodies of milkweed bugs Adults are about 5 mm long. tropics, are not considered on a given tree can engender contain toxic compounds derived Nymphs, which are often found in serious economic pests. Some concern among the owners of the from the sap which they suck large aggregations, are also species are covered with either a trees. However, actual physical from milkweed. Milkweed bugs black and red and are similar in mealy substance or waxy damage caused by the Oak are true bugs (Hemiptera) . They shape to the adults, although filaments. Members of this family Treehopper to the trees is are used as research insects they lack wings. are variously known as fulgorid, extremely rare. Any physical because theyHam are easy to use in Honeydew lightningIce leafhopper, Cream and mealy damage inflictedKiwi upon a tree by the laboratory, have a short life flata. their presence is generally limited to cycle and are easy to manipulate. minor scarring on the smaller limbs. . Indiana Indiana Indiana Indiana Insects Insects Insects Insects

Black and Eastern Augochlora American Yellow Mud Carpenter Bee Sweat Bee Bumble Bee Dauber

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Grasshopper Yellow Jacket Honey Bee Paper Wasp Eastern Carpenter Black Dairyand Yellow Mud AugochloraPoor Choice Sweat AmericanVegetables Bumble Bee Dauber Bee Bee Junk food Carpenter bees resemble Mud dauber is a common name for The metallic green sweat bee, so The American bumblebee is a bumblebees in both size and wasps that make their brood nests named for their attraction to species of bumblebee native to appearance, but are not social with mud. There are many species of human sweat, are one of the North America. It occurs in insects. They construct their wasps referred to as mud daubers; jewels of the bee world. eastern Canada, throughout nests in trees or in frame some other common names are dirt much of the United States, and This solitary bee nests in buildings. Most of the top of the daubers, organ-pipe wasps, mud much of Mexico. abdomen of carpenter bees is wasps and potter wasps. Although preexisting tunnels or excavates without hairs and is shiny black in their appearance varies greatly, mud a chamber in rotting Bombus pensylvanicus tends to color. By contrast, the abdomen daubers generally are from ½ to 1 wood. Females collect pollen on live and nest in open farmland of bumblebees is fully clothed inch long. Mud daubers are colored hairs on their hind legs called and fields. It feeds on several with hairs, many of them yellow in either completely black or blue (scopae) that she takes back to food plants, favoring sunflowers color. If you see a number of metallic. Some species have yellow her brood cell to provision her and clovers.[3] Once the most large bees hovering near the or greenish markings on the body. young. These bees produce two prevalent bumblebee in the eaves of the house or drilling in The body shape is typically “thread- to three generations each southern United States as its season. Females born in late Mixed wood, you have carpenter bees. waisted” with some mud daubers Milkshake name suggests, populations possessingWhole an extremely Milk long and summer spend the winter of Bombus pensylvanicushave thin, stretched out looking body dormant in hibernacula, under a decreasedVegetables significantly in recent segment located between the thorax rotting log. years. and abdomen.

Honey Bee Grasshopper Yellow Jacket Paper Wasp GRAINS GRAINS Fruits Honey Bees areFruits an animal most of us The grasshopper is a medium to Yellow jackets often nest Most paper wasps measure learn about very early on, one way or large sized insect and the underground in rodent burrows, about 2 cm (0.75 in) long and are another. In Summer, many people grasshopper is found (close to so if you see lots of flying insects black, brown, or reddish in color step on Honey Bees and get stung grass) all over the world. emerging from a hole in the with yellow markings. Paper while walking barefoot on a lawn. Grasshoppers are best known for ground, they're probably yellow wasps will defend their nest if Honey Bees are usually very gentle their ability to jump incredible jackets. By late summer, a colony attacked. Adults forage for creatures who mind their own heights and distances., may contain thousands of nectar, their source of energy, business. They are too busy to worry individuals that will aggressively and for caterpillars to feed the about people or other animals. Most grasshopper individuals defend their nests from intruders. larvae (young). They are natural grow to about 2 inches long They're easily provoked and will enemies of many garden insect Honey Bees are normally about 3/4 although larger grasshoppers are attack in force, chasing the pests. A widespread North of an inch long. Most bees are found on a fairly regular basis perceived threat for large American species is the golden workers, which are female, but some that grow to more than 5 inches distances. paper wasp. are male, called "drones." Workers in length. The grasshopper has are slightly smaller than drones. All wings meaning it can migrate Honey Bees are reddish brown and over long distances when the black, with orangish-yellow rings on weather Animalgets too cold. the abdomen.Orange The head, Slices antennae, Oatmeal Orange Juice and legs are black. Honey Bees have Crackers thick, pale hair on the thorax. Indiana Indiana Indiana Indiana Insects Insects Insects Insects

June Beetle Cricket Katydid Firefly

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Cockroach

Lady Bug Sycamore Tulip Tree GRAINSFirefly JuneFruits Beetle FruitsKatydid VegetablesCricket Fireflies are familiar, but few Cotinis nitida, commonly known as Katydids are medium-sized to There are over 900 species of realize that these insects are the green June beetle , June bug or June large insects. They are usually crickets that are divided in couple of actually beetles, nocturnal beetle, is a beetle of the green, sometimes with brown groups, based on their morphology members of the family Scarabaeidae. It occurs in the markings. They have a thick and type of habitat. Crickets can be familyLampyridae. Most fireflies eastern United States, where it is most body, usually taller than it is wide, found throughout the world. They are winged, which distinguishes abundant in the south. It is sometimes and long thing legs. The hind legs can survive in various habitats, them from other luminescent confused with the related southwestern are longer than the front or including forests, meadows, fields, insects of the same family, species figeater beetle Cotinis mutabilis, middle legs, and are often used rocky areas and caves. Some of commonly known as glowworms. which is less destructive. for jumping. On the head they them live under the ground. Crickets have chewing mouthparts and are best known by the song they Firefly light is usually intermittent, The green June beetle is active during long thin antennae that reach produce. They are symbol of good and flashes in patterns that are daylight hours. The adult is usually 15– back at least to the abdomen of luck. People of China were holding unique to each species. Each 22 mm (0.6–0.9 in) long with dull, metallic the insect. The adults of some crickets as pets in the past. Most blinking pattern is an optical green wings; its sides are gold and the katydid species can fly, and all species of crickets are numerous in signal that helps fireflies find head, legs and underside are very bright katydids are camouflaged to the wild. Some species of crickets potential mates. Scientists are shiny green. Their habitat extends from blend with the leaves they feed are facing uncertain future due to not sure how the insects regulate Maine to Georgia, and as far west as on. habitat loss (crickets cannot fly and this process to turn their lights on Kansas, with possible population Red Grapes they ofteRedn disappear & Green along with their and off. crossover in Texas with their western Raisins habitats). Because of that, several Pretzels cousin, the figeater beetle. species ofPeppers crickets are listed as endangered.

Tulip Tree Sycamore Cockroach Lady Bug Meat & Beans Meat & Beans Meat & Beans Vegetables Growing to be one of the tallest These trees are found abundantly The cockroaches are an ancient group, Many people are fond of and finest trees in the eastern around lakes and along many dating back at least as far as ladybugs because of their United States, the tulip is our streams. The mottled bark (which the Carboniferous period, some 320 million colorful, spotted appearance. But Indiana state tree. Although looks sick) is light brown, pale years ago. Cockroaches are somewhat farmers love them for their sometimes called the “Yellow green and white on top. The generalized insects without special appetite. Most ladybugs Poplar,” this tree is actually in the leaves vary in size, but are adaptations like the sucking mouthparts voraciously consume plant-eating Magnolia family. The name “Tulip always quite broad with curving of Hemiptera; they have chewing insects, such as aphids, and in Tree” comes from the showy tips. Round balls hanging on long mouthparts and are likely among the most doing so they help to protect blossoms’ resemblance to tulips. stems throughout the winter are primitive of iving neopteran insects. They crops. Ladybugs lay hundreds of The tall straight trunk of this tree the fruit of this tree. are common and hardy insects, and can eggs in the colonies of aphids made it popular among pioneers tolerate a wide range of environments and other plant-eating pests. for log cabin building. Today, the from Arctic cold totropical heat. Tropical When they hatch, the ladybug easily worked wood is used for cockroaches are often much bigger than larvae immediately begin to feed. furniture, toys, musical temperate species, and, contrary to instruments and many other popular opinion,Scrambles extinct cockroach articles. relatives and 'roachoids' such as the Carboniferous ArchimylacrisEggs and Salmon the Permian Apthoroblattina were not as Side Salad Sausage Links large as the biggest modern species.

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White Oak Eastern Red

Cedar Red White Pine

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Cottonwood

American Flowering Beech Black Cherry Dogwood White Pine Red Pine Eastern Red Cedar White Oak

The tall, straight trunks of the The red pine gets its name from The red cedar is a widely White oak acorns are an white pine were once prized for its reddish-brown bark. It is distributed tree in Indiana important source of food for ship masts. Today, the white often used as an ornamental because many birds eat the many woodland animals, and pine is still an important lumber tree and like the white pine, it is berries and then naturally were once ground into a flour tree. The long, soft needles of an important lumber tree. The disperse the seeds later. They and used by Native Americans. the white pine are arranged in dark green needles of red pine are among the first trees to The white oak’s wood is an bundles of five. The cone is are 4 to 6 inches long and are grow in abandoned farm fields. important source of lumber for long, slender and unique arranged in bundles of two. The bark is “shreddy” in tight barrels, furniture and because of its white resin- appearance. The heartwood is hardwood flooring. The leaves tipped scales. red with the familiar cedar chest of the white oak have rounded smell. The wood is rot resistant lobes.. and is used for posts on many farms

Flowering Cottonwood Black Cherry American Beech

Dogwood Its bright green leaves have an In late summer, many birds The smooth, silver-gray bark of almost triangular shape. A close cease all other eating habits to the beech makes it an In the springtime, the soft white relative is the swamp gorge themselves on the ripe especially easy tree to identify. “blossoms” of the flowering cottonwood. It can be fruit of the black cherry. To Sometimes this bark wrinkles dogwood add a fringe of white distinguished by its more oval humans, the fruit tastes and looks similar to elephant to many forest edges. The skin. Unfortunately, this unique leaves with round leaf stems, somewhat bitter, but is often leaves are opposite and oval in bark is often covered with and by the wooly appearance of used for jellies and jams. The shape. The wood is heavy, hard carved initials. The carvings the new leaves, leaf stems and leaves are lance-shaped with and strong, and is used to make provide a site for fungus and twigs. The young bark is small teeth on the edges and are items such as golf club heads. damaging insects to enter the smooth and yellow-green; the firm in texture. The dogwood’s fruits are bright tree’s trunk. The leaves are thin old bark is rough, with thick, flat red and arranged in tight and papery in texture. ridges. clusters. Indiana Trees Indiana Trees Indiana Trees Indiana Trees

Sugar Maple Sassafras Red Oak Flowering Dogwood

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Poison Ivy Poison Sumac Poison Oak Poison Hemlock Flowering Red Oak Sassafras Sugar Maple

Dogwood Like the acorns of the white Four different shapes of leaves The results of boiling the sugar oak, red oak acorns are eaten can be found on most sassafras maple’s sap is maple syrup and In the springtime, the soft white by deer, squirrels and raccoons. trees. sassafras tea is brewed sugar. Colonists learned this “blossoms” of the flowering To humans, the acorns of the from the tree roots. An oil use from Native Americans. dogwood add a fringe of white red oak are bitter and must be distilled from the bark is used to Each tree yields between 5 to to many forest edges. The leached of the tannin before flavor candies, medicine and to 60 gallons of sap per year, and leaves are opposite and oval in use. The leaves of the red oak perfume soap. When scratched, it takes between 30 to 40 shape. The wood is heavy, hard have sharp pointed lobes with the young twigs have a gallons of sap to make just one and strong, and is used to make bristles at the tips. Like the pleasant spicy odor. gallon of syrup. Sugar maple items such as golf club heads. white oak, the red oak is also wood is often used in furniture. The dogwood’s fruits are bright an important lumber tree. red and arranged in tight clusters.

Poison Hemlock Poison Sumac Poison Oak Poison Ivy

At first glance poison hemlock A shrub or small tree, poison sumac can Poison Oak has the characteristic It is a bit of a challenge for most may appear like wild carrot or be more toxic than poison ivy. Plants can trifoliate leaf. Poison oak is a shrub with people to tell the differences some kind of giant parsley, but it grow from six to 20 feet tall. The hairy leaves that have an oak-leaf between poison ivy and poison is not a mistake that you should compound leaves have seven to 13 appearance, hence the name. The plant oak. The telltale sign that you could make. Both poison hemlock and leaflets with smooth margins and the produces greenish-white berries which be looking at poison Ivy or Atlantic wild carrot belong to the parsley leaflets are elliptic to oblong. Flowers are birds eat, spreading the seed. In the poison oak is the characteristic family. Both have the green and approximately 1/16 of an inch winter time the berries still have the oils trifoliate leaf. The two opposite characteristic umbel in diameter. There are other sumacs in that cause skin irritation. The oils can leaflets will have very little or no inflorescence of small white the state of Indiana that are not toxic. last for a long time on surfaces. The use petiole and the terminal leaflet will flowers and leaves that expand One way to help identify between the of water alone will not remove the oils be extended from the two opposite at the bases sheathing the nontoxic sumacs and poison sumac is and in some cases water alone can leaflets. There are other plants that stems. You can tell poison that the berries of poison sumac are spread the oils. To remove the oils wash might have a similar leaf but it hemlock apart from its benign hairless, drooping, and are green when skin or clothes with an alkaloid soap. might be wise to treat everything cousin, wild carrot, by the immature, but then turn grey-white as Alcohol will also remove oils. As long as with this leaf arrangement as presence of purple blotches on they mature. The berries of other non- the oils are on surfaces, skin or clothing potential poison ivy. Poison ivy can the stem. The leaves of poison toxic sumacs often have hairs on the it may cause an irritating, itchy rash. grow as a vine or low shrub. It will hemlock are also sharper in berries and are red to crimson. climb trees, power line poles, detail compared to wild carrot. fences or just about anything available to climb. Indiana Indiana Indiana Indiana Snakes Poisonous Snakes Snakes Plants

Milk Snake Hognose Racer Snake Stinging Nettle

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Black Rat Snake Green Snake Midwest Northern Worm Snake Copperhead

Hognose Snake Racer Stinging Nettle Milk Snake

This snake of open, sandy areas Racers are constrictors and Stinging nettle is a very common sight in This snake’s taste for mice makes is recognized by its upturned feast on a diet of large insects, the woods, on the banks of rivers, and in it a common visitor in barns. It is so nose, wide head and thick body. frogs, lizards, snakes, small waste areas in Indiana. Touching stinging well camouflaged by its pattern of It may be solid black, gray, and birds. Both species nettle can produce itching and welts; black rimmed rusty-red blotches on yellowgreen or orange with dark typically have white on the chin walking though stinging nettle with shorts a background of light gray that it is blotches and spots on its back and throat. The black racer is or sandals is not advised. Stinging nettle often missed. A light “Y” or “V” on and sides. Often called the puff slender and satiny black above is armed with small hairs that, when the back of the neck may be adder, spreading adder or blow and satiny gray below with a touched, can inject a cocktail of histamine, present. The belly is an irregular viper, it will flatten its head and brown or dark amber iris of the serotonin, acetylcholine and formic checkerboard of black on white. At neck like a cobra’s hood, inflate eye. The blue racer may show acid11. Histamine causes an immune night, it hunts small rodents and its body and make a striking varying shades of gunmetal reaction in the body, serotonin and lizards, constricting them in its coils motion if threatened. It may roll gray or blue above and below acetylcholine are neural transmitters and to suffocate them before over on its back and play dead with a darker head and eye formic acid is the same compound swallowing them. This harmless with its mouth open and its area. Racers move fast and involved in bee stings and fire ant bites. snake is often mistaken for the tongue hanging out. It will remain sometimes appear to “chase” Stinging nettle often grows in patches and rustier red, elliptical-eyed, wider- that way, limp and lifeless, even people. In fact, this behavior is can become quite tall, growing up to 5 headed northern copperhead, if picked up. Toads are a favorite often associated with courtship feet, but I generally see it between 2 to 3 which does not have a food and are swallowed whole. and may be used to drive an feet tall. Stems are unbranched and checkerboard belly. The red milk intruder out of a territory. leaves are opposite, egg shaped and with snake is larger, brighter red and serrated margins. has a white or yellow “collar.”

Northern Copperhead Black Rat Snake Midwest Worm Green Snake The northern copperhead is Indiana’s The “pilot black snake,” is a good most common poisonous snake. Its Snake Both rough and smooth green climber. Shed skins are often coloring includes a coppery-red head and snakes are green above with found in attics and forks of trees. an hourglass pattern of reddish brown This snake version of the white, yellow or pale green This constrictor feeds on mice and bands on its body. The bands of the earthworm is brown above and bellies. The rough green snake bird eggs and is usually a copperhead are narrow along the back has a pink belly and sides. It is has keeled scales that give it a welcome resident in farmers’ and wide on either side. Banding on the secretive and seldom seen, rough texture. This snake, listed barns and outbuildings. Although water snake is saddlelike; wide on the spending most of its time under as a species of special concern black rat snakes can and will bite back and narrow on the side. This stones, boards and logs where in Indiana, spends most of its when cornered, they are not nocturnal reptile lives in dry, rocky areas, the ground is moist. It feeds on time in trees feeding on usually aggressive. Black rat but can be found in old outbuildings and soft-bodied insects and crickets, grasshoppers, snakes resemble black racers but barns. Its venom kills prey and breaks earthworms butterfly/ moth larvae and are loaf-shaped instead of round. down tissues for digestion. Young spiders. The smooth green The belly is usually white or a copperheads eat a lot of caterpillars. snake has smooth scales. It black and white checkerboard Adults feed mostly on amphibians and rarely climbs and is generally pattern. The area between scales mammals. The bite reflex remains active smaller than the rough green is light colored. A pattern of up to an hour or more after a northern snake. It is only found in three blotches on the back is common. copperhead’s death. The bite of this small areas of the state. snake is extremely painful. Indiana Indiana Indiana Indiana Snakes Snakes Snakes Snakes

Water Snake Timber Rattle Massasauga Queen Snake Rattlesnake Snake

Indiana Indiana Indiana Indiana Snakes Snakes Snakes Snakes

Ribbon Snake Northern Ring- Midland Kirtland’s Water necked Snake Brown Snake Snake

Queen Snake Water Snake Massasauga Rattlesnake Timber Rattlesnake

This harmless water snake has a This common reptile of streams, The massasauga is a small endangered The timber rattlesnake is dull olive-brown back and a ponds and lakes suns itself on pit viper found only in northern Indiana in endangered in Indiana. This yellow belly with 4 distinct brown rocky banks and fallen marshy, swampy areas and bogs. It may grandfather of all poisonous snakes stripes running the length of its branches. It grabs unsuspecting be found in woodlands and old fields on lives on dry forested hillsides and body. It is sometimes mistaken frogs, salamanders, tadpoles or occasion. It is spotted with dark black or hibernates in dens. Colors and for the water moccasin. It feeds fish with its teeth and swallows brown blotches on the back and 3 rows of patterns vary from almost black to almost entirely on soft-bodied them whole. This nonpoisonous small, dark spots on either side. This yellow with dark blotches. The crayfish that have shed their snake is often mistaken for a “swamp rattler,” which eats mice and distinctive head shape and rattle at shells. Its picky eating habits northern copperhead or water other snakes, is generally mild mannered the end of the tail are make it difficult to keep in moccasin because of the and rarely strikes unless stepped on. characteristic. A new rattle captivity patterned, dark brown and tan segment is added when the snake crossbands on the neck and sheds its skin once or twice a year front. If caught, it may thrash and bite. It can hold its breath underwater for almost 3 minutes at a time.

Midland Brown Snake Kirtland’s Water Northern Ring- Ribbon Snake This reptile is often mistaken for a young Snake garter snake. It has two parallel rows of necked Snake This slim relative of the garter black spots down the back and a brown snake has a dark slender body This endangered water snake, body. The young have a light band on the This slender snake hides with three bright yellow stripes. found primarily in the Midwest, neck like the northern ring-necked snake, beneath logs or rotting bark The middle stripe is sometimes has a reddish belly and a visible (see next column) but brown snakes have while hunting earthworms, orange or greenish. It stays row of round black spots down rough scales. This snake is common in slugs, salamanders and lizards. close to streams and marshes each side. It feeds on earthworms marshes and moist woods. It has a slate-gray back, yellow where it feeds on fish and frogs; and slugs in wet meadows and belly and unmistakable yellow it rarely eats earthworms. The swamp forests. It flattens its body ring around the neck. If caught, two subspecies listed are into a ribbonlike position if it will twist, squirm and release almost indistinguishable. alarmed a foul-smelling liquid that is a combination of musk, feces and urine. The northern ring-necked snake rarely bites. Indiana Snakes

Eastern Garter Snake

Eastern Garter Snake

Sometimes mistakenly called the “garden” or “gardener” snake, it is seen along trails, in meadows and beside creeks. Look for brown checks on a greenish- brown back, round eyes and red, forked, blacktipped tongue. Each individual seems to have a personality that extends even to preferences in food. This snake flicks its tongue in and out and watches for the motion of earthworms, insects, minnows, tadpoles, frogs, salamanders, birds and small mammals. Prey is grabbed with the teeth and swallowed whole.