John Jacob Astor founded the American Fur Company on Mackinac Island in 1808; however, the industry began to decline in the 1830s as beaver and other game were overhunted.[3]. These snakes live underground, beneath piles of leaf litter or in thickets, and they are expert swimmers. Eastern milk snakes are relatively common throughout the Eastern United States, including Michigan. 01 of 04 Woolly Mammoth Flying Puffin/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0 Michigan I am owned by two dogs who take me on hikes in the mountains where we see coyotes, black bears, and wild turkeys. Its natural range is now restricted to Michigan and Indiana, but it was once much more widespread. If you do see a wolf, do not run away. 13) Bull Elk Facebook There are very few of these HUGE mammals left in Michigan. [2] The Eagle Mine, a nickel-copper mine, opened in 2014. The states unique geographical arrangement is shared by no other state or political subdivision anywhere in the world. There are over 60 different species of mosquitoes living in Michigan, so they can be found practically anywhere. Although it is a tree squirrel, it spends most of its time on the ground. In summer, it might be 10F (5.6C) cooler at lakeside than it is inland, and the opposite effect is seen in winter. Until the bridge was completed in 1957, travel between the two peninsulas was difficult and slow (and sometimes even impossible during winter). [68] Stands of hemlock and hardwood in the western reaches of the forest experienced larger scale selection-cutting beginning in the mid-20th century. Michigan is home to many common forest-dwelling and freshwater animals. The Black-legged Tick, also known as the deer tick, can seem relatively harmless due to its small size. Michigan is home to many common forest-dwelling and freshwater animals. As of the 2020 census the region had a population of 301,608, just more than 3% of Michigan's total population and a decline of 3.2% from 2010.[60]. Beginning in 1923, the State of Michigan operated automobile ferries between the two peninsulas. A considerable amount of bedrock is visible. This includes three from Dickinson County, two from Marquette County and one each from Baraga, Delta, Houghton, Luce, and In Michigan's 2010 gubernatorial election Republican Rick Snyder carried every UP county but one, Gogebic, on his way to victory over his Democratic opponent, Virg Bernero. Marie, Escanaba, Menominee, Houghton, and Iron Mountain. craft beer is a growing business", "Craft brewing a $300M industry in the Upper Peninsula", "Breweries provide a sense of community for Marquette residents", "Michigan's top 50 beer brewers, based on 2018 in-state sales", "M-134 in UP Tapped as Pure Michigan's First Byway", "After 53 Years, Mr. Pellonpaa Is Finnished", "You've Probably Never Heard of a Yooper, But Here's Why You'll Wish You Were One", "Mountain Dew apologizes to Upper Peninsula, will make special label", "Travel & Leisure, Driving Michigan's Upper Peninsula", "Upper Peninsula Journal; Yes, They're Yoopers, and Proud of It", "36 Hours in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan", National Register of Historic Places listings, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Upper_Peninsula_of_Michigan&oldid=1150060984, Articles lacking reliable references from September 2012, Articles with dead external links from July 2010, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox settlement with bad settlement type, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2021, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2020, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2010, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Two railroads originally crossed the Upper Peninsula east to west: the, This page was last edited on 16 April 2023, at 03:44. They are especially dangerous and can be lethal to those who have an allergic reaction to their stings. Piping Plover This small shorebird nests and feeds along both freshwater and saltwater beaches throughout North America. Human activities such as urban development can also contribute to habitat loss and fragmentation, which reduces available resources for native wildlife. Heres some basic information and the real scoop on large predators in Michigan. The Common Yellowthroat stays close to the ground and uses stealth to survive! There are one Interstate Highway, five US Highways and 24 other state highways in the Upper Peninsula. This is about 48 miles from the southern Marquette County photo taken on October 6. Two ferry companies run passenger ferries from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island. American bittern ( Botanus Meet the Largest Bear Ever Caught in Michigan - MSN An analysis of data collected in 2022 produced an estimate of 631 wolves, give or take 49, the Department of Natural Resources said After being nearly extirpated from the conterminous United States, gray wolves survived in the remote northeastern corner of Minnesota and Ontario. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below. Opossums didn't always live here. They're on the move, and Even though ticks and mosquitoes may spread diseases like Lyme Disease or West Nile Virus, they do not present an immediate physical danger, so they will not be discussed here. [58] It would be the least populous state in the union, and as stronger connections to the rest of Michigan have developed since completion of the Mackinac Bridge in the 1950s, the proposal has remained largely dormant since the 1970s. State park, historic sites and visitor center events. Until the bridge was completed in 1957, travel between the two peninsulas was difficult and slow (and sometimes even impossible during winter). Calendars: WebSquirrels, rabbits, and pheasants are more abundant in southern Michigan, and while there are good hunting opportunities for these animals on public land areas in the region, it is also often easier to get permission to hunt these small game on the predominantly private land in this region, rather than to compete for access to hunt white-tailed Covering some 10,000 acres of hardwood forests and shorelines, it is home to one of Michigans largest remaining populations of piping plovers, plus many of the aforementioned wild animals. Michigan is home to 3 types of weasels, the least weasel, the long-tailed weasel, and the short-tailed weasel. [94] Smoked fish is also popular. The last copper mine closed in 1995, although the majority of mines had closed decades before. [33] Lake-effect snow can cause blinding whiteouts in just minutes, and some storms can last for days. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. There are also many plant species that have been transported to the Great Lakes, including purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria[27] and Phragmites australis, both of which are considered to be a threat to native hydrophyte wetland plants.[28][29]. The Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority operates car ferries in its area. Michigan DNR: 10 confirmed cougar sightings in 2021 The emerald ash borer was first reported in the UP at Brimley State Park,[30] and is considered to be a serious ecological threat to the habitat and economy. They've since expanded northwards throughout the Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. All of the higher areas are the remnants of ancient peaks, worn down over millions of years by erosion and glaciers. Michigan coyotes: Whats for dinner depends on what the Four of them have been detected in the state and the fifth one is just one you should know the symptoms of. It has about 1,700 miles (2,700km) of continuous shoreline with the Great Lakes. U.P. zoo introduces Teddy Yakson, other new additions small, native predator is flourishing in the Upper Peninsula John Ball Zoological Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan Sea Life Aquarium in Auburn Hills. Lone star tick: Sometimes present in wooded and grassy areas across Michigan. Thimbleberry jam and chokecherry jelly are a treat.[95]. Thats why you see all these red pines they came and planted. Sanders said as he walked through the woods. [23] These results were disputed in a second journal article in 2007 by other researchers from Eastern Michigan University and the U.S. Forest Service. It was the largest supplier of iron ore by the 1890s, and production continued to a peak in the 1920s, but sharply declined shortly afterward. Box 30028, Lansing, MI 48909 (517-284-9453). [2], The Upper Peninsula contains a large variety of wildlife. NAUBINWAY, MI A wildlife park in Michigans Upper Peninsula is introducing four new additions this season, including Teddy Yakson. WebThe northern Lower Peninsula was dominated by sugar maple, beech, Eastern hemlock and white pine forests, and also had plant communities that depended on fire, including jack pine and oak-pine barrens. WebAccording to estimates, approximately 12,000 black bears currently live in Michigan. Brown Recluse Spiders are most commonly found in the counties surrounding the Ohio and Indiana borders. Michigan is represented by several different state animals. They logged all this, and all the slash created these huge wildfires and nothing would grow. D araneus iviei Orb-weaver spider Wolf spider Fishing spider Loxosceles reclusa (Brown [21] Several residents in the state disagree with both current and previous positions on the part of the DNRE. There are many places in Michigan where you can see wildlife. Click the box above for tips and tricks to fill your basket. Michigan is home to a number of aquariums. It can grow up to almost two feet in length once it is fully matured. The Wolverine has become entrenched in the states culture and pride, with many schools, sports teams, and businesses using it as their mascot or logo. Michigan coyotes in most of the Lower Peninsula are the top dogs in the local food chain and can dine on a wide variety of small animals, including rabbits and However, the 1908 revision of the Constitution of Michigan specified that the west branch of the Montreal River was the proper border, which would have placed an additional 360 square miles of land on the Michigan side of the border. Regional Plant Lists Spotted Turtle This small semi-aquatic turtle, identified by the spots on its carapace, is classified as threatened or endangered throughout parts of the eastern United States. The Brown Recluse Spider is known to be one of the most dangerous animals living within the Michigan borders. The state flag of Michigan is one of history, honor, and unique symbolism. Beech bark disease and beech leaf disease both target species of beech trees. The Upper Peninsula has a humid continental climate (Dfb in the Kppen climate classification system). Most wildlife living in Michigan is harmless. For other uses, see, Northern major peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Airports of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. [86] Other ski areas are Pine Mountain located in Iron Mountain, Norway Mountain in the town of the same name, and the Porcupine Mountains located in Ontonagon. In addition to full time positions, we also hire many seasonal positions including park workers, interpreters, rangers, wildlife workers and more. [4], Thousands of Americans and immigrants moved to the area during the mining boom, prompting the federal government to create Fort Wilkins near Copper Harbor to maintain order. Hancock is found frequently on lists of the snowiest cities in America. President Andrew Jackson's government offered the remainder of the Upper Peninsula to Michigan if it would cede the Toledo Strip to Ohio. Use the button above to visit the target shooing and archery home page, or go directly to one of the pages below: Find snowmobile trail permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. Rabbits in Texas (3 Species Plus One Hare), 20 Species of Lizards in Texas (With Pictures), 15 Types of Butterflies in Michigan (Pictures), 12Species of Ducks in Michigan (Pictures), black bear populations around the country, Rattlesnakes in Colorado (3 Species With Pictures), 6 Types of Water Snakes in Michigan (Pictures), 10 Types of Turtles in Michigan (With Pictures), 22 Types of Turtles in Alabama (Pictures), 9 Types of Turtles in Minnesota (Pictures), 14 Types of Turtles in Texas (With Pictures), 13 Types of Turtles in North Carolina (Pictures). However, there was an armed conflict known as the Toledo War with the state of Ohio over the location of their mutual border. Winters tend to be long, cold, and snowy for most of the peninsula, and because of its northern latitude, the daylight hours are shortaround 8hours between sunrise and sunset in the winter. Following the end of the French and Indian War (part of the Seven Years' War) in 1763, the territory was ceded to Great Britain. [34], The banana belt along the Wisconsin border has a more continental climate since most of its weather does not arrive from the lakes. Therefore, it is important to be aware of your surroundings when hiking or camping in areas known to contain rattlesnakes and take extra precautions so as not to startle them. They whistle to each other to warn of approaching danger! If youre interested in seeing some of Michigans top wildlife, then you should visit one of the 74 state parks, two national parks, and numerous other forests, refuges, and important sites. Hunting and Fishing; Scarlet kingsnakes pattern is an example of Batesian mimicry. Coastal communities have temperatures tempered by the Great Lakes. Historically, the Upper Peninsula tended to vote for the Democratic Party due to its legacy of mining and historically high union membership. They have specialized jaws for removing snails from shells. (The peninsula includes the only counties in the United States where a plurality of residents claim Finnish ancestry. The freshwater jellyfish is native to China but is now found all over the world. The region's exploitable timber resources and the discovery of iron and copper deposits in the 19th century brought immigrants, especially French Canadian, Finnish, Swedish, Cornish, and Italian. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Marie. The four counties that border Wisconsin are also in the Central Time Zone, unlike the rest of Michigan, which is on Eastern time. NEW! Michigans gray wolf population remains stable and might have reached its natural ceiling after mounting a decadeslong comeback in the Upper Peninsula, state biologists said after the latest survey. Michigan is home to a wide variety of wildlife, some that is harmless and some that can be dangerous. Thank you for visiting! The Polyphemus moth doesnt and can't eat, except when it's a caterpillar! List of fauna of Michigan - Wikipedia All counties in the UP are part of Michigan's 1st congressional district. The mines began declining as early as 1913, with most closing temporarily during the Great Depression. [24] A citizen's group, the Michigan Citizens for Cougar Recognition (MCCR), independently tracked sightings and in 2009 listed Delta County as the location with the greatest number of reports in the state. There are approximately 17,000 black bears living in Michigan, and they mostly live in the upper peninsula. WebMichigan is represented by several different state animals. By 1992, the population was only about 20, which made it one of the rarest mammals in the state, but numbers increased rapidly over the next several years. Banded-iron formations were deposited 2billion years ago; this is the Marquette Range Supergroup. [59], The Upper Peninsula remains a predominantly rural region. WebDangerous wildlife in Michigan. Bats sleeping in a cluster, hanging upside down from a rocky surface. Back away slowly while maintaining eye contact and making yourself as large as possible. [79] MDOT has also designated five UP highways as Pure Michigan Byways for their historic, recreational or scenic qualities. However, its small size is actually what makes it so dangerous. Prehistoric Animals of Michigan What predators live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? Sandhill crane in Michigan. Moving southward on the Lower Peninsula, people visit Saugatuck Dunes Natural Area for sightings of black bears, river otters, and sandhill cranes. Records of 390 inches (9.9m) of snow or more have been set in many communities in this area. If you do find yourself face-to-face with a black bear it is important to remain calm, but identify yourself as a human by talking slowly. Queen snakes have armor-like scales on the top of their head. Go to Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center, Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, Go to Recreational safety and hunter education, Natural and Historical Education Resources for Home, Cultural & Scientific Collectors Permit (Fisheries), Collaborative Forest Management: The Good Neighbor Authority, Assistance for Private Forest Land Owners, County and Municipal Law Enforcement Information, Fisheries Division Citizens Advisory Committees, Michigan History Center Commissions & Committees, Northern Lake Michigan Islands Collaborative, Pigeon River Country Equestrian Committee, Timber and Forest Products Advisory Council, Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Councils.