Monday marked the last 6:00 p.m. sunset of the year, and Halloween is fast approaching.
Dark and spooky? A perfect time to honor the nocturnal creatures of Chicago (i.e. the critters that go bump in the night).
🦘 Opossums
Although rodent-like in appearance, opossums are actually marsupials like koalas and kangaroos — yes, they also have pouches for their offspring. These little creatures have 50 teeth, opposable thumbs, and are the longest surviving mammal in North America. Opossums feed on rotten food fallen from trees, bugs, insects, and roaches, which has earned them the nickname “nature’s little sanitation engineer.”
🐈⬛ Bobcats
Not to be confused with the caracal, Lynx rufus is black and gray and can weigh up to 30 pounds as an adult. They’re common across the state and reside in wooded bluffs and bushy ravines. Bobcats are carnivores, so be sure to keep your pets inside at night and don’t leave trash or pet food outdoors.
🌷 Sphinx Moths
Like a mix between a moth and a hummingbird, sphinx moths have large bodies, small wings, and a long tube-like mouth to help access its primary source of food: nectar from flowers. The white-lined sphinx moth can be seen during the day, but most sphinx moth species fly at night.
A sphinx moth feeding on nectar. (BogdanV / Getty)
🐿️ Southern Flying Squirrel
Identifiable by its tiny body and big eyes, these squirrels live primarily in wooded cavities like old nests and dead trees. They’re difficult to spot in the dark, but have a distinctive high-pitch chirp. Despite the name, they navigate trees by gliding rather than flying.
🦇 Bats
Often misunderstood, bats are another natural pest controller, consuming thousands of insects each night. All 13 species of bats commonly found in Illinois are protected under the Wildlife Code, so they cannot be shot, trapped, or held in confinement.
If you enjoyed reading about these nocturnal creatures, you’re going to love the delightfully spooky “Creatures of the Night” document from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
