Strange Kentucky Creatures That Look Like They Belong in Another Country

Exotic Kentucky Creatures

I don't consider coyotes and bobcats exotic animals, but I know they live around here, and I've never seen one in person. Be that as it may, it still doesn't make them exotic, even though I've seen them as often as I've seen, say,  a toucan and a jaguar.

A creature native to Kentucky would never be considered exotic, but that doesn't mean there aren't creatures native to the Commonwealth that look exotic and might give you pause should you encounter one.

American Burying Beetle

Sounds dark, doesn't it? Well, it's actually quite on-point. These critically endangered insects bury themselves during the day and in the winter to hibernate. At night, they go airborne as they hunt for carrion, although "hunt" might be too strong a word. Do you "hunt" things that are dead? They also bury the carrion they find.

Black Vultures

It's hardly a shock to see turkey vultures in Kentucky. I've seen quite a few in just the last couple of weeks. But if you were to encounter a black vulture, might you wonder if it somehow got off track? They're intimidating-looking creatures, and what's more, their behavior strays a bit from typical vulture behavior. Whereas turkey vultures feed on carrion, black vultures are a bit more aggressive and have been known to prey on newborn or sick and dying animals. Don't worry; black vultures don't attack humans, but I wouldn't want to make them angry.

Copperbelly Water Snake

Okay, okay. You can relax. You saw the word "copper" and the word "snake," and, well, I get it. But you have nothing to fear from these beautiful creatures. Yes, I'm wary of snakes, but I will admit to their beauty if it's warranted. And, in this case, it is. But I can see where you'd be startled; they can grow up to four feet in length. They like wet, swampy terrain and are less endangered in western Kentucky than they are in northern parts of the country.

Again, none of these creatures are exotic, but they look like they are. Unfortunately, if you don't see certain native creatures as often as others, it doesn't mean they're exotic, but it could mean they're endangered.