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Identifying animals

15 years ago

Animal Identification 101

Having been a professional hunting guide since 1998, and running round the woods since I was about 7 (I'm 60) - I can tell you that the first thing you should do when trying to identify an animal by sound, tracks, deoppings or visual evidence (sighting or photo) - one of the first thnigs you should do - is check to see if a suspected animal is even native to your area.

I it is is not - then look for alternatives. However, realize that many mammals are kept on game farms and as pets, and have been turned loose, or gotten loose, in many areas - so don't totally discount an unlikely candidate.

But, look for the most likley candidate, based on where that species normally occurs.

You can often find good photos of animals, and information on tracks and scat (droppings) on the itnernet. Just Google it.

If you are unsure - feel free to e-amil me at TRMichels@yahoo.com

Photos always help.

God bless and enjoy the great outdoors.

T.R. Michels

TRMichels@yahoo.com

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Comments (4)

boygeorge
14 years ago
thanks for the tip! I know how to identify them from their pics. But, identifying them by their sound is not common to me.
uppitylilshht
14 years ago
Can you point me to a good resource to identify bird calls?
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I think it looks like wet soil too. If it's a scat I would not touch it without gloves and an N95 approved mask because it's not "normal" for any animal I know of. What I mean is that IF IT IS poop, it's likely poop from a sick animal and you need to take precautions not only looking at it but collecting it for specimen, allowing children around the area and indeed allowing pets around the area and when discarding of it. Having said that though, I still think it looks too earth-like to be poop (from the photo at least). Barb southern Ontario, CANADA
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andrevson
14 years ago
Thanks for the information.

Here is a link that might be useful: Expense tracking
murraysmom Zone 6a OH
14 years ago
What's up with the "Expense Tracking"? I saw this posted on another page. andrevson, what does this have to do with anything?

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