These 5 Out-Of-Place Creatures Have Been Spotted In Minnesota
By Betsy Rathburn|Published January 27, 2022
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
I’ve you’ve spent any time in Minnesota, you’re likely familiar with our state’s wildlife. White-tailed deer are commonly spotted darting across roads and through woods. Bald eagles are common enough to be spotted throughout the state. There’s even a National Eagle Center in Wabasha. Bears and wolves are elusive, but they can be spotted as well – especially up north, and especially the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary and International Wolf Center. These animals are common enough, but what about animals that are less widespread, those that don’t usually make homes in Minnesota at all?
Below, you’ll find a list of 5 out-of-place creatures that have been spotted across Minnesota. From strange reptiles to giant birds and beyond, you may be surprised by what has been found in Minnesota’s forests, fields, rivers, and lakes. Take a look:
It should come as no surprise that alligators are not native to Minnesota. However, that doesn't stop people from keeping them as pets. That's where most of the alligators found in Minnesota's natural areas came from. Several have been spotted, including one that was killed by a deer hunter in 2020. Another sighting happened in 2019 when the remains of a lost alligator pet were found by a Prior Lake resident. So while it is unlikely, it is possible to find these creatures near Minnesota's lakes and ponds!
Instead of being lost by owners, goldfish are pets that are frequently freed. But just because they're out of the house doesn't mean they're out of sight. When released into Minnesota's waterways, goldfish can grow to become much bigger than what you'll see in your average fishbowl. In 2021, 30 football-sized goldfish were pulled out of a Minnesota lake. Some weighed four pounds! That was not the first time giant goldfish have been found in Minnesota waterways. But we hope it is the last! When these fish grow large in Minnesota's lakes, they take resources from native species. Think twice before dumping your goldfish in the wild, and don't be too shocked if you hook one on your next fishing trip!
You may be surprised to learn that eels can be found in Minnesota waterways. These slimy fish swim up the Mississippi River, eventually making their way to our state. But while they are not unheard of, these creatures certainly are out-of-place. Only a few eels have been found in Minnesota in the past few decades, the most recent in 2017. There are no breeding populations here, so they likely show up after spawning upriver.
Emus are native to Australia. But these big, flightless birds have found their way to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Why? Some people keep them as pets or as farm animals. And sometimes, they escape. In 2017, a pair of emus were on the loose in Chaska. Two years later, another missing emu was caught roaming Benton County. Luckily, these birds are known to be friendly to people and rarely attack. Despite their docility, it would still be quite the shock to see these out-of-place animals roaming the wild in Minnesota!
Canada lynx are not unknown to Minnesota. In fact, their range overlaps a small portion of our state, one of the few places in the Lower 48 where they might be found. But just because they're possible doesn't mean they're easy to spot. These creatures are famously elusive, so even when they do venture into our state, it's unlikely that a human would ever know they were here.
Most sightings of this wildcat are in remote stretches of forest up north. However, there have been some sightings farther south. For example, there was a sighting in Pine County in the early 2000s. There was a potential sighting in Anoka County during that same period of time! Needless to say, Canada lynx are not commonplace here. If you ever spot one in the wild, you've had an incredibly rare encounter!
Have you ever spotted an unusual animal in Minnesota? Let us know in the comments! And if you know of any other places, events, or pieces of Minnesota history that we should know about, be sure to use our nomination form to let us know!
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