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Kentucky critter encounters: 8 stories of wildlife living among us

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

These curated stories highlight the Kentucky's diverse wildlife, providing insights into both beneficial and cautionary tales about living alongside various animals.

Eastern black kingsnakes offer residents a natural solution to controlling the copperhead population. These snakes, resistant to pit viper venom, help curtail encounters with venomous snakes in local yards.

Armadillos, migrating into Kentucky, present a public health curiosity due to their potential to carry leprosy. Though the risk of transmission to humans is low, it's advisable to avoid close contact.

The presence of ticks in the region raises awareness about Lyme disease and alpha-gal syndrome, a mysterious allergy triggered by tick bites in Kentucky.

Meanwhile, increasing coyote sightings in the state prompt residents to consider preventive measures to mitigate potential conflicts.

A coyote is captured running mid-stride. By Joe Lacefield

NO. 1: SIGHTINGS OF THIS SCAVENGER ARE ON THE RISE IN KY. IT’S BEEN SPOTTED IN EVERY COUNTY

Here’s why you’re seeing more of them and how to avoid conflict. | Published February 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

This undated photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a female Lone Star tick. By James Gathany

NO. 2: KY’S MOST COMMON TICK CAN TRIGGER A MYSTERIOUS ALLERGY. THESE ARE THE SYMPTOMS

Kentucky numbers among the top 10 U.S. states for this tick-borne illness. | Published June 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Downtown Versailles, Ky., is about to get a serious makeover, with major new amenities coming over the next two years. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 3: A BEAR WAS SPOTTED IN CENTRAL KY. HERE’S WHAT TO DO IF THERE’S ONE IN YOUR AREA

A bear was spotted in Woodford County on Friday morning. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said young bears generally do not pose a threat to residents. | Published June 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Monica Kast

Olivia O’Hearn, a graduate student at the University of Kentucky, studies a dead armadillo. Researchers have collected and studied at least 31 roadkill armadillos as part of a project examining their migration patterns and disease potential.

NO. 4: WATCH FOR MIGRATING ARMADILLOS IN KENTUCKY. THEY COULD HAVE LEPROSY

Researchers at UK are collecting data on migration of armadillos and the prevalence of the leprosy bacteria. | Published July 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jake McMahon

NO. 5: NOT A ROCK, NOT A BAKED POTATO. RARE SALAMANDER SPOTTED IN EASTERN KENTUCKY

No, that’s not a rock — it’s a rare giant salamander, recently spotted in Eastern Kentucky. | Published July 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Monica Kast

A skunk roams around at Miller Park on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Skunks have been a particular nuisance in the Sacramento area this year. By Lezlie Sterling

NO. 6: IS YOUR CENTRAL KY YARD A SKUNK HOTSPOT? YOU CAN KEEP THEM AWAY WITH THESE TIPS

More skunks are testing positive for rabies in Kentucky, with the highest number of cases reported in Fayette County in recent years, a Kentucky Department for Public Health report shows. | Published August 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

A close-up shot of a blacklegged tick, also called deer ticks in Kentucky. They’re known to carry lyme disease. By Ladislav Kubeš

NO. 7: KY’S 3 COMMON TICKS CAN CARRY LYME, OTHER ILLNESSES. WHY YOU MAY GET MORE BITES

Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and a mysterious allergy scientists are still working to unravel are among the illnesses Kentucky’s most common ticks can pass on to humans. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

An eastern black kingsnake, observed in Tennessee, coils among some brush.

NO. 8: NEED TO KEEP COPPERHEADS OUT OF YOUR KY YARD? YOU WANT THIS HARMLESS SNAKE INSTEAD

Late summer and early fall is copperhead season in Kentucky, when mothers give birth to litters of eight to 10 babies, all of which must immediately strike out on their own and survive the coming winter. | Published August 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.