It projects into Lake Superior and was the site of the first copper boom in the United States, part of a larger region of the peninsula called the Copper Country. The Upper Peninsula was dominated by forest, with maple, beech and birch in the uplands, and cedar, spruce, and tamarack in wetter areas. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, only venomous snake in the entire state of Michigan, most gorgeous waterfalls in Upper Michigan, Yellowish Cuckoo Bumblebee (formerly Fernalds Cuckoo Bumblebee), Michigan is home to a number of aquariums. There are one Interstate Highway, five US Highways and 24 other state highways in the Upper Peninsula. In addition to full time positions, we also hire many seasonal positions including park workers, interpreters, rangers, wildlife workers and more. Scarlet kingsnakes pattern is an example of Batesian mimicry. Michigan is also well-known for its waterfowl populations. They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food. What predators live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? In Michigan black bears, gray wolves and cougars should be indicators of the healthy state of the ecosystem. However, the diseases that they spread are extremely dangerous to humans. Two of the most dangerous diseases that mosquitoes spread are the West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). If you are stung, it is important to not swat or squash the wasps as it will further irritate the wasps. Interstate75 is the only freeway in the region and runs from the Mackinac Bridge at St. Ignace to the International Bridge at Sault Ste. Snakes can be found in a variety of habitats in Michigan, including woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and even urban areas. It also contains most of the state-run parks and wildlife reserves. The last copper mine in the Copper Country was the White Pine mine, which closed in 1995. [80][81] They are: US 2 in Iron County (Iron County Heritage Trail) and in Schoolcraft and Mackinac counties (Top of the Lake Scenic Byway), US 41 from Houghton to Copper Harbor (Copper County Trail, also a National Scenic Byway), M-35 (UP Hidden Coast Recreational Heritage Trail), M-123 (Tahquamenon Scenic Heritage Route) and M-134 (M-134 North Huron Byway), There are 43 airports in the Upper Peninsula. [7], The Upper Peninsula contains 16,377 square miles (42,420km2),[8] about 29 percent of the land area of the state (exclusive of territorial waters, which constitute about 40% of Michigan's total jurisdictional area). WebFor more on this topic, see this story on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website. [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. Symptoms from a Brown Recluse Spider bite include fever, convulsions, itching, nausea, muscle pain, and in rare cases death. However, as union strength in the peninsula declined, in the 2010s the region has become more leaning towards the Republican Party (though split-ticket voting at the local level became a common practice). [citation needed] As of 2020[update], Marquette County is home to one remaining iron ore mine and one nickel and copper mine. This is a result of both proximity and the broadcast and print media of the area. The opening of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957 (see below) has made the Upper Peninsula easily accessible to tourists from the Lower Peninsula and southeast of Michigan, and has helped make the UP a year-round tourist destination. Michigan is home to a number of aquariums. At the beginning of the 20th century, opossum populations were limited to the southernmost parts of Michigan. Four of them have been detected in the state and the fifth one is just one you should know the symptoms of. They have a distinctive rattle at the end of their tail which serves as an audible warning sign to alert potential predators and humans alike that they should be avoided. 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. They tend to build paper-like nests in trees, vegetation, or even on decks and in garages. [5], There was a boundary dispute over the border with Wisconsin. The wolfs main prey there are deer, elk, moose and beaver. State prisons are located in Baraga, Marquette, Munising, Newberry, and Kincheloe. Thimbleberry jam and chokecherry jelly are a treat.[95]. The official flag features three iconic animals; a bald eagle at its center, representing freedom and strength, flanked by an elk on one side, signifying courage and speed, while on the other side, there is a moose representing agility with dignity. Karner Blue Butterfly Identified by its purple-bluish wings and strange yellow spots, Karner blue is native to the Great Lakes states and the larger Midwest. Marie Evening News that serve the rest of the UP The Mining Journal, based in Marquette, is the only daily newspaper that publishes a Sunday edition, which is distributed, with the exception of Chippewa and eastern Mackinac counties, across the entire UP (the other six days are distributed in its local area only). There are a lot of beetles in Michigan. It ranges across most of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, so its important to be aware of what these snakes look like when outdoors in Michigan. As a result, the North American porcupine is commonly thought of as a North Woods animal. Many centuries ago, wolves once occupied every single county in the state, but because of human persecution and habitat loss, populations may have completely disappeared from the state by the middle of the 20th century. From venomous spiders to 2-foot long rattlesnakes, a few species living in Michigan can be downright terrifying. The rest of the state is surrounded by four out of the five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie. Further up the peninsula in the small town of Lac La Belle is Mt. Yes, the Upper Peninsula has a robust wolf population, numbering more than 600. Details on season dates and bag limits can be found in the Fur Harvester Digest.. The Brown Recluse Spider is known to be one of the most dangerous animals living within the Michigan borders. Beginning in 1923, the State of Michigan operated automobile ferries between the two peninsulas. The bear population fell to a low of about 1,300 in 2011 due to overhunting and accidental deaths. It has about 1,700 miles (2,700km) of continuous shoreline with the Great 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. [10] The rock in the western portion is the result of volcanic eruptions and is estimated to be at least 3.5billion years old (much older than the eastern portion) and contains the region's ore resources. The American robin is the official state bird, the brook trout is the state fish, the painted turtle is the state reptile, and the official state game animal is the white-tailed deer. 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. Hartwig Pines State Park, located along the east branch of the Au Sable River in Crawford County of the northeastern Lower Peninsula, covers nearly 10,000 acres of forests, including a remnant of old-growth white pine and red pine forest dating back centuries. law enforcement, legislation, rules and regulations, Accessible recreation opportunities in Michigan, All DNR-related boards, committees, and advisory groups, Find seasonal, part-time and full-time job openings with the DNR, information about volunteer and donation opportunities. Hines Emerald Dragonfly Native to the Midwest, this species is characterized a luminous dark green hue and two yellow stripes on the sides. However, there was an armed conflict known as the Toledo War with the state of Ohio over the location of their mutual border. In January 1837, the U.S. Congress admitted Michigan as a state of the Union. In alphabetical order, the counties are: Alcona, Alger, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Eaton, Emmet, Genesee, Gladwin, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Houghton, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, The Easter Massasauga Rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in Michigan. Wolves are carnivores and primarily eat deer but will also eat smaller mammals like rabbits and rodents. Following the end of the French and Indian War (part of the Seven Years' War) in 1763, the territory was ceded to Great Britain. Paper Wasps are very common in Michigan and can be very dangerous if provoked. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE ORV HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Information on DNR shooting and archery ranges, rules and regulations, resources to get started and more. They prefer to attach to humans at the back of the neck near the base of the skull. Red-Shouldered Hawks reuse the same nesting area each year. [32] Because of the howling storms across Lake Superior, which cause dramatic amounts of precipitation, it has been said that the lake-effect snow makes the Keweenaw Peninsula the snowiest place east of the Rockies. They are venomous and, unlike bees, do not die after one sting. Although they prefer more northern climates like Canada or Alaska, small populations still remain in parts of Michigans Upper Peninsula. 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. [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. [91] (People living in the Lower Peninsula are commonly called "trolls" by Upper Peninsula residents, as they live "Under the Bridge".) Spiders, grasshoppers, crickets, and other invertebrates are probably among the most common animals in the state. Today, the western Upper Peninsula is home to about 173,887 people, while the eastern Upper Peninsula is home to about 133,499 people, a total of 307,386only about 3% of the state's populationliving in almost one-third of the state's land area. The Keweenaw Peninsula is home to several ski areas. However, they can also be found near rocky outcroppings and open fields where there is plenty of covers for them to hide in or around. The last copper mine closed in 1995, although the majority of mines had closed decades before. Some Finnish foods such as juusto (squeaky cheese, essentially a cheese curd, like Leipjuusto) and saunamakkara (a ring-bologna sausage) have become so ubiquitous in Upper Peninsula cuisine that they are now commonly found in most grocery stores and supermarkets. Fatalities are rare but are most common in children and the elderly. For many years, mines in the Keweenaw Peninsula were the world's largest producers of copper (see Copper mining in Michigan). Wilderness State Park is located immediately to the west of Mackinaw City near the upper tip of the Lower Peninsula. [68] Stands of hemlock and hardwood in the western reaches of the forest experienced larger scale selection-cutting beginning in the mid-20th century. There are five public access airports with turf runways and thirteen airports for the private use of their owners. Herman averages 236 inches (5.99m) of snow every year. Although the state government was not yet recognized by the United States Congress, the territorial government effectively ceased to exist. It is habitat for frogs, salamanders, owls, raccoons, and many The Upper Peninsula is separated from the Lower by the Straits of Mackinac, five miles (8 km) across at the narrowest, and is connected to it by the Mackinac Bridge at St. Ignace, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan has three state universities (Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. ", 10.1674/0003-0031(2007)158[467:DAPOCE]2.0.CO;2, "DNRE Confirms Cougar Sighting in Michigan", "Invasive Phragmites Control and Management", "A Guide to the Control and Management of Invasive Phragmites", "The History of Emerald Ash Borer Discoveries in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan from 2005 to 2007", "Michigan's Extreme and Significant Weather Events", "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections", "Michigan's Population Topped 10 Million in 2020", "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990", "Pioneers: U.P. [21][22] Researchers at Central Michigan University and the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy in 2006 published the findings of a study using DNA analysis of fecal samples taken in the Upper and Lower peninsulas that showed the presence of cougars at the time. Downy woodpecker in Michigan. (The peninsula includes the only counties in the United States where a plurality of residents claim Finnish ancestry. One of the most well-known of the arachnids, the Black Widow Spider, is commonly found in the western lower peninsula of Michigan. WebMichigan is represented by several different state animals. Beech bark disease and beech leaf disease both target Brown Recluse Spider. In the Upper Peninsula, two bobcats may be taken by hunters and trappers as long as one is captured on private land. 13) Bull Elk Facebook There are very few of these HUGE mammals left in Michigan. While the snake wont attack you unless provoked, their bites can be very dangerous. They whistle to each other to warn of approaching danger! Most known members are native to the Maple River in Emmet County, located near the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula. WebGo to Learn about Michigan's species Learn about Michigan's diverse range of fish, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals. Back away slowly while maintaining eye contact and making yourself as large as possible. They are grey or light brown with large chocolate-brown splotches. [22], There are also many invasive species that are primarily brought in the ballast water of foreign ships, usually from the ocean bordering Northeastern Asia. Heres some basic information and the real scoop on large predators in Michigan. The Upper Peninsula is separated from the Lower by the Straits of Mackinac, five miles (8km) across at the narrowest, and is connected to it by the Mackinac Bridge at St. Ignace, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. [20] As late as January 2007, the DNRE's official position was that no cougars lived in Michigan. Most attacks occur when there is a cub involved or if the bear is attacking a human as a last resort for food. According to the DNR, wolves are native to Michigan and the current U.P. [79] MDOT has also designated five UP highways as Pure Michigan Byways for their historic, recreational or scenic qualities. This water is dumped directly into the Great Lakes, depositing a variety of fresh and salt water fish and invertebrates, most notably the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha. Other common animals include snakes, cockroaches, turtles, frogs, butterflies, crickets and grasshoppers, and all kinds of freshwater fish such as bass and trout. Copperbelly Water Snake This subspecies of the plain-bellied water snake is currently threatened by pollution, poaching, and loss of suitable wetlands and woodlands. The bison can reach heights of up to 6 feet at the shoulder and weigh up to 2,000 pounds! Deer, rodents, bats, foxes, moles, opossums, raccoons, and skunks rank as some of the most common mammals in the state. Animals like bears or large cats have been known to attack humans if provoked, so these are certainly included on this list. When winters arrive, it then travels south toward the Caribbean. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Use the button above to visit the hunting home page, or go directly to your area of interest below: Find ORV license and permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. 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. Marquette County sits along the Marquette Iron Range, which sent out a significant portion of the iron ore mined in the United States for many years. Volunteer Opportunities; [25] The DNRE verified five sets of tracks and two trail camera photos in Delta, Chippewa, Marquette, and Menominee counties since 2008. The Upper Peninsula has a humid continental climate (Dfb in the Kppen climate classification system). During the 1890s, Finnish immigrants began settling there in large numbers, forming the population plurality in the northwestern half of the peninsula. Small amounts of gold have also been discovered and mined. However, these spiders are venomous. The land in the Upper Peninsula was described in a federal report as a "sterile region on the shores of Lake Superior destined by soil and climate to remain forever a wilderness. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, located close to Traverse City on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a federally protected area composed of forests, beaches, dunes, and ancient glacial features. Rattlesnakes are the most dangerous type of venomous snake in Michigan. For a full listing of help desk numbers, field offices, and other ways we can help, please visit our contact page. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. In 1881, the Mackin [71][72] In 2019, their annual economic impact totaled $346 million. Michigan is home to a variety of large animals, including some of the largest in North America. Although it is a tree squirrel, it spends most of its time on the ground. The sparsely populated northern half of the state is rich in all kinds of forest-dwelling wildlife and shorebirds. 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. They are unlikely to be encountered by the average person, however. 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 WebMichigan's swamps have red and silver maples, cedars, balsams, willows, alders, black ash, elms, and dogwoods. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. [13] Its highest elevation is Mount Arvon, at 1,979 feet (603m). Well show you how to identify it, and why its dangerous. After being assigned to various territorial jurisdictions, it was granted to the newly formed state of Michigan as part of the settlement of a dispute with Ohio over the city of Toledo. An analysis of data collected in 2022 produced an estimate of 631 wolves, give or take 49, the Department of Natural Resources said The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE)[b] formed a four-person team to investigate sightings in the state. US41 runs northsouth through the central and western UP, connecting Menominee, Escanaba, Marquette and Houghton before terminating near the tip of the Keweenaw at Copper Harbor. A popular bumper sticker, a parody of the "Say YES to Michigan" slogan promoted by state tourism officials, shows an outline of the Upper Peninsula and the slogan, "Say ya to da UP, eh!" President Andrew Jackson's government offered the remainder of the Upper Peninsula to Michigan if it would cede the Toledo Strip to Ohio. Mockingbirds are incredible mimics that can learn hundreds of songs! NAUBINWAY, MI A wildlife park in Michigans Upper Peninsula is introducing four new additions this season, including Teddy Yakson. Pointe Mouillee State Game Area attracts thousands of ducks each year from October through April. They include: The porbeagle is one of the few sharks that jumps out of the water. Keep an eye out for them under logs, tree roots, or in small mammal habitats. "The UP" redirects here. Other reasons why animals may be going extinct or becoming endangered in Michigan include climate change, pollution, the introduction of invasive species, disease outbreaks, and hybridization with other related species. [65][66], From approximately 1870 to 1915, about 32 quarries mined Jacobsville Sandstone in the Upper Peninsula, particularly near Marquette and the community of Jacobsville. Invasive species like the alewife and sea lamprey can be found in the Great Lakes. These include ferries for Sugar Island, Neebish Island, and Drummond Island. Early settlers included multiple waves of people from Nordic countries, and people of Finnish ancestry make up 16% of the peninsula's population; the UP is home to the highest concentration of Finns outside Europe and the only counties of the United States where a plurality of residents claim Finnish ancestry. 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. Hunting and Fishing; In terms of sports fandom, residents may support Detroit professional teams or those of Wisconsinparticularly the Green Bay Packers. 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. A considerable amount of bedrock is visible. An 1847 survey established the east branch of the Montreal River as the border. There is a large variety of birds, including hawks, osprey, owls, gulls, hummingbirds, chickadees, robins (the state bird), woodpeckers, warblers, and bald eagles. Maple syrup is a highly prized local delicacy. WebDangerous wildlife in Michigan. [93] Fresh Great Lakes fish, such as the lake trout, whitefish, and (in the spring) smelt are widely eaten. Adult males can reach heights between 3 4 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 250 pounds when fully grown. American Indian tribes formerly allied with the French were dissatisfied with the British occupation, which brought new territorial policies. Lakes and rivers contain many fish such as walleye, muskie, northern pike, trout, salmon, bullhead catfish, and bass. In 1881, the Mackinac Transportation Company was established by three railroads, the Michigan Central Railroad, the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad, and the Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette Railroad, to operate a railroad car ferry across the Straits. [21] Several residents in the state disagree with both current and previous positions on the part of the DNRE. [26] DNRE officials acknowledge that there are cougars in the UP, but not elsewhere in the state. 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. Some people are barely affected by the Black Widows venom, while others may have a more serious reaction. Unless otherwise stated, each hunter is only permitted to hunt one bobcat in the states Lower Peninsula. The majority of grey wolves in Michigan live in the Upper Peninsula. Beyond venomous snakes, Michigan also has six water snakes that include: Overall, Michigan has a lower number of snakes than many surrounding states. Lake Superior has the greatest effect on the area, especially the northern and western parts. Many types of snakes are attracted to water sources like ponds and streams. 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. The states unique geographical arrangement is shared by no other state or political subdivision anywhere in the world. It is currently being threatened by the loss or contamination of its wetland habitats. The bear population fell to a low of about 1,300 in 2011 due to overhunting The American Bird Conservancy and the National Audubon Society have designated several locations as internationally Important Bird Areas.[15]. Mute swan in Michigan. First inhabited by Algonquian-speaking native American tribes, the area was explored by French colonists, then occupied by British forces, before being ceded to the newly established United States in the late 18th century. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake This is the, Black Widow Spider Easily identified by the large body size and the black and red color scheme, the black widow can deliver powerful venom with dangerous neurotoxins. [17][18] These reports increased in number over the first decade of the 21st century. What animals are most common in Michigan? Two ferry companies run passenger ferries from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island. tienne Brl of France was probably the first European to visit the peninsula, crossing the St. Marys River around 1620 in search of a route to the Far East. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, located near the town of Paradise in the Upper Peninsula, is the second largest park in the state. Michigan is home to 3 types of weasels, the least weasel, the long-tailed weasel, and the short-tailed weasel. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE SNOWMOBILE HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Want to find tasty morel mushrooms in the forest? Houghton County contributed 460 soldiers, while Marquette County, Michigan, sent 265. The Great Lakes have a great effect on the larger part of the peninsula. Michigan is home to a wide variety of wildlife, some that is harmless and some that can be dangerous. Nestled in the heart of Michigans Upper Peninsula, the St. Marys River flows between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, offering a diverse range of habitats for various species of wildlife.While many may associate this region with its stunning natural scenery and rich history, few are aware of the slithering residents that call this area home. NAUBINWAY, MI A wildlife park in Michigans Upper Peninsula is introducing four new additions this season, including Teddy Yakson. These are used for general aviation and charter. WebCoyote hunting and trapping seasons are available statewide. River Otter The river otter is found in rivers and streams all around Michigans Great Lakes region. Some of the mammals found in the UP include shrews, moles, mice, white-tailed deer, moose, black bears, cougar, gray and red foxes, wolves, river otters, martens, fishers, muskrats, bobcats, coyotes, snowshoe hares, cotton-tail rabbits, porcupines, chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, opossum and bats. There are 19 other public use airports with a hard surface runway. It can attach to a mammal without notice spreading disease and wreaking havoc on its unsuspecting host. The name Massasauga comes from the Chippewa language, meaning Great River Mouth. In 1967, when the Uniform Time Act came into effect, the Upper Peninsula went under year-round CST, with no daylight saving time. When the scope is restricted to vertebrates, however, Michigan also has a lot of rodents like mice, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks. While death is exceptionally rare, bite victims of this. Wolves hunt in packs and innately chase after prey that is fleeing. This includes three from Dickinson County, two from Marquette County and one each from Baraga, Delta, Houghton, Luce, and An analysis of data collected in 2022 produced an estimate of 631 wolves, give or take 49, the Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday.
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