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Redbelly Snake
These snakes (species Storeria occipitomaculata) are found throughout Minnesota
They are one of the smaller snakes in Minnesota, maxing out at 10 inches
They eat insects and worms, and are completely harmless
They have a red underside, hence the name
Jumping Spider
Most types do not make webs
They actively hunt their prey
Some species can jump 20 times their own length!
Some species have elaborate dances
There are 81 species of jumping spider in Minnesota
This particular jumping spider (possibly species habronattus viridipes) was found on the bench next to the garden
Earthworm
The earthworm, surprisingly, is invasive
They eat leaves and poop out dirt
They help to break down dead things and recycle them into nutrients that plants use
They also break up the dirt, good for gardens!
They are actually invasive in Minnesota
American Robin
This bird is a sign of spring in Minnesota, usually migrating here in March or April
They mostly eat insects and fruit
They are one of the most common birds in North America, with a population of approximately 370,000,000!
Promethia Silkmoth
This pretty moth has different colors for female and male sexes, this one is female
The caterpillars are yellow to green and feed mostly on trees
The females are active at night, the males at day; neither eat anything as adults
Damselfly
This damselfly (genus Enallagma) was found by the tool shed in early June
Damselflies eat smaller insects when adults
When they are larvae, they actually live underwater in streams and lakes!
House Wren
This bird was unidentified at first due to its dark patches, but it turns out it is a house wren ()- the dark patches are areas of molting or damaged feathers
These birds are found throughout the Americas, all the way down to Argentina!
They generally come to the northern US in April or May and leave in September or October
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_wren
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