Do you ever wonder what wild secrets your home state holds? We often think of the familiar animals that roam our backyards and local parks — like squirrels, rabbits, and the occasional deer — but many of the United States’ other wild inhabitants may surprise you. Each state is home to unusual animals that defy expectations, thriving in environments you might never have imagined. Here are the most surprising animals living in each state.
Alabama
While it’s not uncommon to see a jellyfish in the ocean, you might be surprised to spot one in a freshwater lake. These freshwater jellyfish, or peach blossom jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbii), are native to China’s Yangtze River. However, you can also find them in a few of Alabama’s lakes, including Lake Martin and Lake Smith. They are tiny, mostly transparent creatures, typically no bigger than a quarter, with a slight milky-white or greenish tint.
Alaska
Icy glaciers may seem like an unlikely home for a worm, but in Alaska, they’re surprisingly common. These cold-loving creatures are known as ice worms (Mesenchytraeus solifugus) and are usually black, white, or blue. Although they thrive in cold temperatures, they are protected from extreme temperatures inside glaciers thanks to an insulating layer of snow, which helps maintain a stable temperature near 32 degrees Fahrenheit. But if their temperature rises to about 39 degrees Fahrenheit, the worms’ bodies will literally melt.
Arizona
Though often associated with the rainforests of South and Central America, the white-nosed coatimundi, or white-nosed coati (Nasua narica), is a surprising resident of Arizona. These small, slender members of the raccoon family have reddish-brown or black fur, white facial markings, and a long, flexible snout. Weighing between 6.5 and 13 pounds, coatis typically measure around 26 inches, with tails nearly as long as their entire body.
Arkansas
These small, pinkish-white fish are born without eyes, a unique evolutionary adaptation for surviving in complete darkness. Since sight is useless in their isolated cave systems, Ozark cavefish (Troglichthys rosae) have instead developed other sensory organs to help them navigate and find food. They primarily feed on whatever organic matter is carried into their caves, such as bat guano, salamander larvae, isopods, plankton, crayfish, and amphipods.
California
A large resident of California’s cool, moist redwood forests, the banana slug (Ariolimax) is one of North America’s largest slugs, growing up to 10 inches long. Proposed as California’s state slug in 2024, it shares a unique relationship with the state tree, the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). The slugs help young redwoods thrive by eating competing plants. In return, the redwoods’ forests provide the essential cool, moist habitat the slugs need to survive.
Colorado
Many people are surprised to learn that Colorado is home to the pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), the second-fastest land mammal in the world. Reaching speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, these antelope-like animals are second only to the cheetah in terms of speed. Both males and females have horns, although only males typically have branched horns.
Connecticut
Typically known for its Ivy League schools and colorful fall foliage, Connecticut is also home to a rather surprising animal: the star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata). While its body resembles that of other mole species, this unique animal has a rather unusual snout, which consists of 22 fleshy, pink tentacles arranged in a star shape. Each tentacle is covered in sensitive touch receptors, which help the mole locate its prey. These highly specialized star-nosed moles are semi-aquatic animals and prefer swampy, wet areas throughout Connecticut.
Delaware
While native to Delaware, the Delmarva fox squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus) is a surprising animal to see within the state. This special tree squirrel was once listed as an Endangered species and nearly disappeared from the state completely. Thanks to successful conservation efforts, however, these large, fluffy squirrels can now be found in a few isolated populations in Sussex County. Delmarva fox squirrels are one of the largest squirrels in North America. On average, they measure 30 inches long and weigh up to 3 pounds.
Florida
The tropical habitats of Florida are home to a surprising array of wild animals, including the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). Rhesus macaques are native to the Middle East and Asia, but were brought to Florida in the 1930s by a riverboat captain for a tourist attraction. However, he underestimated the monkeys’ excellent swimming skills. The macaques quickly escaped and adapted to the hospitable habitat along the Ocklawaha River and what is now Silver Springs State Park.
Georgia
Georgia is home to a very unusual and surprising species: the hammerhead worm (Bipalium). Unlike most other worms, it has a unique fan-shaped head, much like the shape of a hammer. Native to Asia, hammerhead worms were introduced to the United States in the early 1900s. They are carnivorous and mainly eat earthworms. They subdue their prey using a type of neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin (the same toxin found in pufferfish).