Lake Kegonsa State Park
You're Not Alone in the Woods

Lake Kegonsa State Park’s woods, prairies and wetlands feature many native wildlife communities.

Had you camped 150 years ago in what is now the park, you would have seen black bear, elk, bison, timber wolves, and cougars. Today, however, you will find yourself surrounded by a different host of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects that are now typical of southern Wisconsin.

Mammals

The most common mammals seen are gray and fox squirrels, chipmunks, cottontail rabbits, ground squirrels (called gophers) and muskrats.

Two young red foxes venture from their den in the park.
DNR Photo

Deer, woodchucks, red fox, raccoons, skunks and opossums are also seen frequently in the park.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Reptiles and amphibians include many types of turtles, frogs, toads and snakes. None of these are poisonous. Snakes living in the park are the garter, brown, red-bellied and milk snake.

Blandings and painted turtles, as well as snapping turtles are found in the marsh, along with a few soft-shelled turtles.

Also, the park is home to American toads, plus leopard, green, chorus, spring peeper and gray tree frogs.

Insects and Spiders

Hundreds of insect varieties also inhabit the park. Butterflies are seen almost everywhere. Large moths including the cecropia (Wisconsin's largest moth), promethea, polyphemus, luna, many kinds of hawk moths, tiger and underwing. Big blue or green dragonflies and smaller blue damselflies hover over fields and wetlands.

Locusts, grasshoppers, large beetles, wasps, inchneumons, bees and flies are common and often brightly colored. You will most likely find numerous mosquitoes (if not, they will find you!).

A number of garden spider species, jumping spiders and wolf spiders live in the park, but none are aggressive or harmful.

You are not alone in the woods at Lake Kegonsa State Park. Investigating the park wildlife can turn an ordinary visit into a true learning experience.

For more information, call (608) 873-9695, e-mail Lake Kegonsa State Park, or US mail:

Lake Kegonsa State Park
2405 Door Creek Road
Stoughton, WI 53589