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The Strange and Spooky Wildlife That Need Trees
Nurturing forest ecosystems help protect animals of all kinds — including some of the world’s creepiest creatures.
October 16, 2025
Forests are the epicenter of life in the animal kingdom.
Crawling in the soil and climbing in the canopy, hundreds of thousands of animals and insects are born and raised amongst the trees. Approximately 80% of all terrestrial creatures need trees to survive.
While environmental advocates tend to highlight the cutest and cuddliest while making the case for habitat conservation (like the Northern spotted owl or this burrowing tortoise), they aren’t the only ones in need of protection. Even spooky and dangerous wildlife deserve to have a home. In fact, some are even beneficial to the health of forest ecosystems, despite their slimy or sinister appearances.
The following six species are just a few of the creepy critters you might find in the forest.
AYE AYE LEMUR
Though this primate looks like it leapt off the page a fantasy story, the aye aye lemur is actually found exclusively on the island of Madagascar. Unlike the more photogenic ring-tailed lemur, aye aye lemurs sleep during the day in nests of leaves and branches. At night, they scour for food – and their hunt is helpful for trees. Aye aye lemurs have extra long middle fingers that they use to dig bark-boring grubs out of trees. They can be heard tapping on branches throughout the night to find hollow spots where insects hide.
Unfortunately, the aye aye lemur is considered an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). While this is partly due to loss of habitat, it’s also because of local folklore deeming the aye aye lemur as an omen of death and bad luck. According to superstition, immediately killing the lemur is the only way to ‘ward off evil.’ The aye aye lemur is now protected by law in Madagascar, making it illegal to kill or capture them.
Indiana Bat
The Indiana bat has been considered a federally protected species since 1966 when it appeared on the first threatened and endangered animals list created in the United States. While it bears the name of just one state, the Indiana bat’s habitat actually ranges across the eastern part of the country. They spend most of the year in dense forestlands and then hibernate over the winter in caves or abandoned mines. No blood-sucking here, of course. These bats, like many other bat species, feed almost exclusively on flying insects.
For some, Indiana bats might be hard to spot. Typically, this species is about two inches in length which is approximately the same size as the average adult human thumb. Known as “social bats,” they don’t love to spend time alone. During hibernation Indiana bats huddle together in clusters, sometimes containing up to 500 bats per square foot.
Banana Slug
On the other U.S. coast, this ground bound slug is almost five times bigger than the flying Indiana bat. The banana slug is one of the largest slugs in North America, reaching up to 10 inches in length. In addition to the western U.S., they can also be found in Canada and Alaska.
Though its slow, slick, and slimy, the banana slug has become a fan favorite in California. The University of California in Santa Cruz actually adopted the banana slug as its mascot and in 2024, it became the state slug of California. The attention isn’t just for the slug’s stunning color. The banana slug is actually a vital part of the iconic redwood forests. It eats away at other young plants that might compete with the redwoods for light or water. It also munches through detritus on the forest floor like leaves and mushrooms and recycles it back into the soil as nutrient rich fertilizer to help the trees thrive.
Burmese Python
The Burmese python is living life at the top of the food chain as an apex predator. Considered one of the largest snakes in the world, the python can grow up to 23 feet in length and weigh up to 200 pounds. Their native habitat is in Southeastern Asia where they can be found slithering in rainforests and grasslands near bodies of water. However, the Burmese python can now also be found far from home in the everglades of southern Florida. The species was trafficked to the United States through the exotic pet trade and, because of its enormous size, the pythons were often either intentionally released or escaped on their own
The South Florida Water Management District says they aren’t sure how many Burmese pythons now roam the everglades but “it could be tens of thousands, or it could be hundreds of thousands.” Burmese pythons are considered an invasive species in the U.S. and serve as a threat to native wildlife, capable of eating animals 4 to 5 times as large as its head. In fact, one python was recently caught on video vomiting up an entire deer. Florida hosts state-sponsored python hunts in order to help reduce the population.
Brazilian Wandering Spider
A literal creepy crawler, the Brazilian wandering spider spends most of its nights stalking the forest floor in the Amazon Rainforest. They ambush their prey through direct attacks, rather than building webs like many other arachnids. The Brazilian wandering spiders are typically considered one of the deadliest spiders in the world because of their highly venomous bite, though these instances are rare. Experts say they consume a mix of insects, small amphibians, and even small reptiles like lizards and snakes. When they aren’t hunting for food, wandering spiders are often hunkered down under logs or rocks.
But despite its fearsome reputation, this spider plays a vital role in controlling insect populations and maintaining ecological balance. Its presence is a reminder of the intricate and sometimes intimidating web of life that thrives in healthy forests.
Poison Dart Frog
Tiny but unmistakable, the Poison Dart Frog dazzles with neon hues that serve as a clear warning to predators: “Stay away.” Found in the rainforests of Central and South America, these frogs secrete potent toxins through their skin — some strong enough to deter even the most determined hunter. Indigenous peoples have long used these toxins to tip blow darts, giving the frog its name.
But beyond its chemical defenses, the Poison Dart Frog is a symbol of biodiversity and fragility. Its survival depends on pristine forest habitats, making it a vivid ambassador for conservation and the urgent need to protect tropical ecosystems.
By helping plant trees in forests around the world, the Arbor Day Foundation is helping to ensure all animals — creepy or cute — will live to lurk another day.
