In the interest of staying safe out there, you’ll want to read through the following list of creepy, dangerous, or just plain wildly intense animals/creatures that have been spotted from time to time in West Virginia – if only so you can identify them and then steer clear!
- Indiana Bat
Flickr/ USFWS Midwest Region This raucous little creature looks bigger than it is. But the Indiana Bat proves size isn’t everything. At a mere two inches long (at best) this bat is a rare sight in the Mountain State and is easily distinguished from our more common Little Brown Bat by its long fluffy hair, large feet, and pink lips. Ewww. No thanks!
- Water Shrew
Flickr/ GrahamC57 The water shrew seen here has one obvious thing in common with mankind: it has exactly 32 teeth. Found mostly in higher elevations, the water shrew is not a common sight in West Virginia. You’ll know if you encounter one if you just tell a joke and wait for it to smile (32 teeth…). Okay, maybe not humorous when you consider this little guy can bite your pets before you know it.
- Virginia Big-Eared Bat
Wikipedia/Larisa Bishop-Boros This one photo alone is enough to convince us to give up spelunking for good. Although the Virginia Big-Eared Bat is a known insectivore, we’re not willing to take any chances. Do you think there’s any way we can simply remind them that “Virginia is for Lovers” and they’ll all fly back home?
- North American Porcupine
Wikipedia/J. Glover What?!! Did you know they climb trees? Also known in some circles as a “quill pig,” the porcupine, thankfully, is not something we see everyday in our state, although sightings have been reported. Have you ever seen one?
- Silver-haired Bat
Wikipedia/Larisa Bishop-Boros Just more one bat, we promise. Of the 13 or so bat species you can encounter (or that can encounter YOU) in West Virginia, eight of them are either uncommon or rare. Such is the case with this little guy, the Silver-haired Bat. That smile of his is just a little on the creepy side, wouldn’t you say? It’s probably best to steer clear of this one for sure!
- Eastern Spotted Skunk
Flickr/ Andrea Arbogast Smaller than the skunk we commonly avoid in the Mountain State, this spotted cousin is also one to avoid. They’re crafty little nocturnal creatures so you may not see them, but you’re nose will know when one could be around.
- Wild Boar
Wikipedia/Valentin Panzirsch Here’s a great reason to keep your shotgun by your side at all times. You may need it to defend yourself if you encounter one of these in the wild! If you’re thinking this one is on the cute side… it’s because it’s a female (no horns).
- Northern Flying Squirrel
WIkipedia/PJTurgeon Many people consider the common ground and tree squirrel a nuisance. So just imagine being hit in the head by a flying squirrel leaping across your deck or your yard! Want to see it in action? Watch the following YouTube flying squirrel video captured and posted by user MyBackyardBirding:
- Bobcat
Wikipedia/public domain It’s rare to see a bobcat in West Virginia but sightings have occurred. In fact, the bobcat can be found in most of the contiguous United States — so beware! Don’t find yourself purring out a friendly, “here… kitty, kitty.”
Have you spotted any of these on your property or in the wild? Or have you seen any other out-of-place creatures? We’d love to know!
Flickr/ USFWS Midwest Region
This raucous little creature looks bigger than it is. But the Indiana Bat proves size isn’t everything. At a mere two inches long (at best) this bat is a rare sight in the Mountain State and is easily distinguished from our more common Little Brown Bat by its long fluffy hair, large feet, and pink lips. Ewww. No thanks!
Flickr/ GrahamC57
The water shrew seen here has one obvious thing in common with mankind: it has exactly 32 teeth. Found mostly in higher elevations, the water shrew is not a common sight in West Virginia. You’ll know if you encounter one if you just tell a joke and wait for it to smile (32 teeth…). Okay, maybe not humorous when you consider this little guy can bite your pets before you know it.
Wikipedia/Larisa Bishop-Boros
This one photo alone is enough to convince us to give up spelunking for good. Although the Virginia Big-Eared Bat is a known insectivore, we’re not willing to take any chances. Do you think there’s any way we can simply remind them that “Virginia is for Lovers” and they’ll all fly back home?
Wikipedia/J. Glover
What?!! Did you know they climb trees? Also known in some circles as a “quill pig,” the porcupine, thankfully, is not something we see everyday in our state, although sightings have been reported. Have you ever seen one?
Just more one bat, we promise. Of the 13 or so bat species you can encounter (or that can encounter YOU) in West Virginia, eight of them are either uncommon or rare. Such is the case with this little guy, the Silver-haired Bat. That smile of his is just a little on the creepy side, wouldn’t you say? It’s probably best to steer clear of this one for sure!
Flickr/ Andrea Arbogast
Smaller than the skunk we commonly avoid in the Mountain State, this spotted cousin is also one to avoid. They’re crafty little nocturnal creatures so you may not see them, but you’re nose will know when one could be around.
Wikipedia/Valentin Panzirsch
Here’s a great reason to keep your shotgun by your side at all times. You may need it to defend yourself if you encounter one of these in the wild! If you’re thinking this one is on the cute side… it’s because it’s a female (no horns).
WIkipedia/PJTurgeon
Many people consider the common ground and tree squirrel a nuisance. So just imagine being hit in the head by a flying squirrel leaping across your deck or your yard! Want to see it in action? Watch the following YouTube flying squirrel video captured and posted by user MyBackyardBirding:
Wikipedia/public domain
It’s rare to see a bobcat in West Virginia but sightings have occurred. In fact, the bobcat can be found in most of the contiguous United States — so beware! Don’t find yourself purring out a friendly, “here… kitty, kitty.”
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