Bears have been making headlines over the last few days. While they would offer up quite a surprise if you opened your back door in certain parts of Kentucky and there sat one in your yard, they don't exactly qualify as exotic or exotic-looking.

Exotic Kentucky Creatures

The Commonwealth has even "welcomed" an alligator or two in its history, but they were here illegally. Gators cannot survive in Kentucky weather; we're just not tropical enough (fine by me).

I've always believed that if an animal is indigenous to your state that it isn't and shouldn't be considered exotic. But that doesn't mean there aren't creatures native to Kentucky 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 scared 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.

They're not 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.

WOW: 19 Exotic-Looking Animals Surprisingly Found in America

While some are native and others arrived by accident, there are animals living quite happily in the U.S. that will make you say, “No way!” From seriously big cats to the pinkest bird you’ve ever seen, here are some of the most exotic creatures calling America home.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

16 Of the Most Dangerous Creatures in Kentucky

I guess you could consider the Commonwealth lucky. A Florida list would include alligators, constricting serpents, and panthers. That doesn't mean this group is nothing to sneeze at, though. And a big tip of the hat to Bird Watching HQ for rounding this rascals up. They are listed in no particular order.

Gallery Credit: Dave Spencer

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