These 5 Out-Of-Place Creatures Have Been Spotted In Virginia And You’ll Want To Steer Clear
By Beth|Published January 30, 2019
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Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
Virginia is home to a bounty of beautiful wildlife, including some magical animals that any of us would be lucky to spot. And yet, there have been more than a few bizarre sightings over the past few decades that have us scratching our heads. These creatures don’t call Virginia home, but have been known to stop by for an occasional visit. If you should see any one of these animals, you might be making a double take:
Moose are notoriously shy creatures, so spotting them anywhere is an exciting experience. But to spot one in Virginia? It's practically unheard of! At least, that was the case until recently, when a moose was spotted near Lake Frederick in northern Virginia. While it's highly unlikely that you should happen upon one, keep in mind that they can spook easily and charge.
It's nearly impossible to imagine, but elk once roamed freely here in Virginia. Due to an abuse of hunting privileges, the species was completely wiped out. Now, after a reintroduction that began in 2012, these magical creatures have made their way back. Full grown, the bulls can weigh up to 700 pounds, so be sure to keep a respectful distance should you see one of these beautiful creatures!
Officially, mountain lions have not been seen in Virginia since 1970. And yet there are numerous reports of hikers and residents spotting these creatures, especially in the mountains. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has declared the eastern population of cougars extinct, but based on numerous sightings and reports, you can't be too sure. They're nocturnal and notoriously sneaky, so seeing one in the wild is a truly unique experience.
The "coywolf" is an informal term for a unique hybrid of western coyotes and eastern timber wolves. Wolves once thrived in Virginia, but due to the harm they inflicted on farms and livestock, they were hunted by the settlers of Jamestown and eventually became extinct. Without as many wolves around, coyote populations began to thrive and expand eastward. Today, a new hybrid known as the coywolf is slowly returning to the state. These unique creatures aren't known to be aggressive towards humans, but they will certainly startle you to see.
While Virginia Beach has been known to house several species of sharks, it's more unusual for these intimidating creatures to wander inland. Yet within the last decade, bull sharks have been known to swim all the way to the Potomac River. Bull sharks are one of the few species that can tolerate fresh water, which allows them to flow from ocean to river relatively easily.
As mentioned before, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll encounter any of these creatures in the wild here in the Old Dominion, but it isn’t entirely out of the realm of possibilities either. Have you spotted any shocking creatures in Virginia? We’d love to hear about it! For related content, read about How The World’s Most Notorious Mythical Creature Is Said To Dwell In This Small Virginia Town.
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