You Won't Believe What Kind Of Animal Is Now Living in Illinois

What kind of animal that is now living in Illinois you will not believe.

Strange Animals Coming To Illinois

Over the last couple of years, we have had some strange animals come to Illinois. I am talking about ones that are not normally from around here. Illinois must be a popular vacation spot for them

Chung Sung-Jun

Recently, there have been reports of bears, mountain lions, buffalo, and bobcats to just name a few. The other day I read a story about river otters being spotted in Chicago. That is all just crazy to me. The latest sightings involve an animal that I thought would never be seen in Illinois.

MJ Kim

Armadillos Spotted In Illinois

When I think of armadillos, Illinois does not come to mind. Texas is more likely in my thought process. They do not seem like the kind of animals that would enjoy the cold.

Suzanne-d-Williams-JPeXRsEu1NY-Unsplash

According to wildlifeillinois.com,

"There have been a few hundred verified armadillo sightings in Illinois since the 1990s, mostly in the southern half of the state."

"Armadillos can survive in areas with a constant source of water that have annual temperatures above 28˚F."

"Armadillos are not currently protected by the Illinois Wildlife Code."

What To Do If You Spot An Armadillo In Illinois

If you happen to discover an armadillo in Illinois, especially in the central and northern parts of the state, please contact the Illinois Department Of Natural Resources, HERE.

LOOK: Here are the pets banned in each state

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation.

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LOOK: Stunning animal photos from around the world

From grazing Tibetan antelope to migrating monarch butterflies, these 50 photos of wildlife around the world capture the staggering grace of the animal kingdom. The forthcoming gallery runs sequentially from air to land to water, and focuses on birds, land mammals, aquatic life, and insects as they work in pairs or groups, or sometimes all on their own.