Did You Know These Eight Iowa Animals are Endangered or Threatened? [PHOTOS]

The state of Iowa is home to more than 1,100 species of wildlife and fish. In addition, there are almost 1,800 flowering plant species in the state. Unfortunately, there are plenty of animals and plants that are either threatened or endangered.

What's the difference between threatened and endangered?  According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, "An endangered species" is one that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A "threatened species" is one that is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range."

In Iowa, 64 plants are endangered; 89 more are threatened. We'll discuss those in another story.

Iowa has 47 endangered animals and 35 more that are threatened. Today, we'll look at eight of those 82.

Barn Owl

The Barn Owl roosts in the cavities of old trees, but because Iowa forests have been removed for farmland, they are endangered in the state. You're likely to see them living in the towers of abandoned churches, barns, and farmhouses. If you hear a hoot, that's not a Barn Owl. Instead, they shriek or hiss:

Great Plains Skink

The Great Plains Skink is the largest skink (almost 14 inches) in the central and eastern U.S. A lizard that loves grasslands, it can detach its own tail to escape from a predator. A new tail will grow but the color pattern will not return. The tail will also never approach the length of the original. The Great Plains Skink is endangered in Iowa.

Indiana Bat

An Indiana Bat can have a wingspan of up to 11 inches, but incredibly they only weigh the equivalent of about three pennies (approximately a quarter of an ounce). Indiana Bats hibernate together in caves and, if bothered, will leave in huge numbers. Because they're so small, they can easily freeze to death. The Indiana Bat has been on the federally endangered species list since the late 1960s.

Long-eared Owl

A surprised look isn't uncommon for a Long-eared Owl, whose ears are typically not on the same level. That allows for better hearing. Long-eared owls are on Iowa's threatened list due in part to the loss of their forest habitats near prairies and meadows, and pesticides.

Ornate Box Turtle

The Ornate Box Turtle has red eyes and a dark, beautiful shell. They live on the land, typically in sandy grasslands. Ornate Box Turtles are threatened in Iowa, making it illegal to take one to raise as a pet.

Plains Pocket Mouse

You won't find this particular mouse in your house (rejoice!), because they live in burrows they dig in the sandy soil of prairies. As you'll see in the video below, the Plains Pocket Mouse loves dust baths. It helps them ward off parasites and keep them cool, by reflecting the sun. The Plains Pocket Mouse is endangered due to the dramatic decrease in its habitat.

Poweshiek Skipperling

"Possibly the rarest butterfly in the world" (see video below), the Poweshiek Skipperling looks much like a moth when in flight. In Iowa, they prefer what's so hard to find: Tallgrass prairie and peat-accumulating wetlands. The Poweshiek Skipperling is federally endangered.

Spotted Skunk

While the tail could certainly be mistaken for that of a squirrel, the black and white of a spotted skunk give away its true identity.

You might see a Spotted Skunk come out of an abandoned building or corn crib and if threatened, they'll do a handstand for you. However, that's not something you want to see. If they continue to feel danger, the Spotted Skunk will release it's god-awful-smelling spray next.

Though Spotted Skunks are endangered in Iowa, it certainly appears that Garth Letts saw one in eastern Iowa on Tuesday, September 26. We thank him for allowing us to use his photo:

You can see the full list of Iowa's endangered, threatened, and special concern animals here.