1 of 23

Wildlife Identification

2 of 23

Domestic versus Wild�Animal

Domestic Goat Wild Goat

3 of 23

Mammal Skull

4 of 23

Carnivore Teeth�

Sharp canines to capture prey

All sharp teeth to tear and chew meat
Sensitive nerves to help with biting

5 of 23

Omnivore Teeth�

Sharp canines to capture prey

Flatter back teeth to eat nuts & berries
The flatter the molars, the more vegetation the animal eats

6 of 23

Herbivore Teeth

UNGULATES

No canines
Back teeth grind plants
Jaw moves side to side to grind plant material

7 of 23

Herbivore Teeth

RODENTS & LAGOMORPHS

Back teeth grind plants
Jaw moves side to side to grind plant material
Rodents have brown, enamel covered incisors
Lagomorphs have 4 front incisors

8 of 23

Other Skull Clues

Eye socket placement – Eyes up front, ready to hunt. Eyes on the side, ready to hide.

Size of eye socket

Length of nasal passage

9 of 23

Wildlife ID - Fur

Camouflage Warmth Water proof

Sun Protection Defense

10 of 23

Wildlife ID - Fur

Under hairs (down) = Warmth

Guard Hairs = Camouflage & Protection

Down hair (known also as undercoat or ground hair) — the bottom layer consisting of wool hairs, usually wavy or curly without straight portions or sharp points; down hairs tend to be shorter, flat, curly, and more numerous than the top layer. Its principal function is thermoregulation; it maintains a layer of dry air next to the skin and repels water, thus providing thermal insulation.

Guard hair — the top layer consisting of longer, generally coarser, nearly straight shafts of hair that protrude through the down hair layer. The distal ends of the guard hairs provide the externally visible layer of the coat of most mammals with well-developed fur. This layer of the coat displays the most marked pigmentation and gloss, including coat patterns adapted to display or camouflage.

It is also adapted to shedding water and blocking sunlight, protecting the undercoat and skin from external factors such as rain and ultraviolet radiation. Many animals, such as domestic cats, erect their guard hairs as part of their threat display when agitated.

11 of 23

Wildlife ID - Fur

12 of 23

Wildlife Identification Tips

Habitat

Size

Ear shape

Tail length

13 of 23

Wildlife Identification Tips

Color

Special markings

14 of 23

TRACKS

Habitat
Size
# of Toes
Shape
Claws
Other Clues

15 of 23

TRACKS

UNGULATES

2 “toes”
Heart shaped

Deer & Moose = pointed tips
Elk = rounded tip
Pronghorn = back half rounded
Sheep & goat = straighter sides

MULE DEER

MOOSE

ELK

BIG HORN SHEEP

PRONGHORN

16 of 23

TRACKS

RODENTS & LAGOMORPHS

Rodents (except beaver & muskrat)

4 front toes, 5 back toes
Small in size

Beaver & Muskrat

5 toes
Webbed back foot

Lagomorphs (rabbits & hares)

4 toes, often obscured by fur
Long back foot

BEAVER

GREY SQUIRREL

17 of 23

TRACKS

CANINES & FELINES

Canines

4 toes with claw marks
Oval shaped, one lobe on front of pad

Felines

4 toes, no claw marks
Round, two lobes on front

of pad

18 of 23

TRACKS

BEARS

Large, human like back foot
5 toes, front & back

19 of 23

TRACKS

WEASELS, BADGERS, SKUNKS, RACCOONS, OTTERS

5 toes
Small to medium size
Claws

LONG-TAILED WEASEL

RACCOON

BADGER

20 of 23

TRACKS

BIRDS

Ground birds & waterfowl

3 toes forward, 1 short toe back

Perching birds

3 toes forward, 1 long toe back

Woodpeckers, owls, roadrunners

2 toes forward, 2 back or K shape

TURKEY

NORTHERN FLICKER

CROW

DUCK

GREAT HORNED OWL

21 of 23

TRACKS

AMPHIBIANS

Toads & Frogs

4 front toes, 5 back toes
Webbed back feet

Tiger Salamander

4 toes
Body or tail drag

22 of 23

TRACKS

REPTILES

Snakes

Undulating grooves

Turtles & tortoises

5 front toes, 5 back toes with claws
Shell or tail drag

Lizards

5 toes front & back
Tail drag

23 of 23

OTHER SIGNS

Body drag marks
Wing marks
Tail drag marks
Rubbings on trees
Nests, lodges
Scat