As we enter the wonderful world of the great outdoors, it becomes crucial for us to learn how to recognize various kinds of wild animals for our own safety. We all love getting out there and enjoying the beauty of nature; therefore, knowing how to tell what kind of animals we might come across while hiking and trekking makes us safer in the wilderness. There are lots of exciting creatures out there and we all want to get familiarized with them. That is why in today’s guide, we discuss various ways to identify common wild animals that can be found in the wild.
Understanding the Characteristics of Common Wild Animals
In order to be able to recognize common wild animals, we must pay attention to their physical characteristics first. As we mentioned earlier, every animal has specific features like size, color, and body shape that differentiate it from the rest. For instance, it takes no effort to recognize a white-tailed deer. We only need to focus on such features as its large ears, brown fur, and white tail with a black tip. In turn, a gray squirrel can be identified based on its grayish-brown fur, bushy tail, and white belly. Paying close attention to the physical features of each animal can help us identify them.
Another thing that should be considered when it comes to recognizing common wild animals are their habits and habitats. Different types of wildlife prefer living in certain places. Some of them can be found near the water; others prefer to live in forests. For example, we can find raccoons in river banks because they prefer living in moist places and hunting in the water. In contrast, opossums love the places with a lot of vegetation because they like to move around quietly in order to hunt and forage for food.
Identifying Common Wild Animals by Sound and Movement
Another great way to distinguish between various types of wildlife is to study the animals’ sound and movement. Every type of wildlife is known for certain sounds. For instance, wolves produce a terrifying howl which is heard far away in the wilderness, and a chirping noise which can be made by crickets in the garden is quite familiar for everyone. By learning and identifying the sounds made by the wildlife we come across, we are able to figure out what kind of animals they are.
Similarly, one more characteristic of each animal is its movement. It helps us determine whether we are dealing with a bear or a rabbit since the former moves rather slowly while the latter is very nimble and fast.
Using Field Guides and Online Resources
Those who are new to wildlife identification can benefit greatly from field guides and online resources. The former are books which contain all the necessary information on various species, including their size, habitat, physical characteristics, diet, and habits. Besides field guides, online resources can prove quite useful when it comes to recognizing wildlife. Websites and applications can be used as a source of information in this case.
Some of the best field guides available are the National Audubon Society Field Guide and the Peterson Field Guide. Both of them cover all necessary aspects related to different wildlife species.
Tips for Safe Wildlife Viewing
Although meeting any animal in the wild sounds like an adventurous idea, we should put our safety above everything else when doing so. Here are some basic tips on how to behave in such cases.
Always keep a safe distance from animals you want to view. You don’t want them to feel threatened and attack you.
It is important to stay away from feeding wild animals. You risk creating a dependence on human food and, as a result, the animals will become aggressive.
Be careful when exploring the wild nature and pay close attention to potential dangers which might exist nearby, e.g., snakes or spiders.
Don’t forget about the legal issues related to wildlife viewing. You shouldn’t view the animals which are on the brink of extinction or enter prohibited areas.
Conclusion
Recognizing common wild animals can be quite interesting as well as useful for us. Understanding the physical characteristics, habitats, and habits of various wildlife species is the key to successfully identifying them. Now that you know how to identify various kinds of animals in the wild, go on exploring them whenever possible!
