Most Commonly Seen Animals

Human

Although we are trying to capture photos of wildlife, we inevitably capture many photos of humans (including photos of us as we setup and take down cameras). We can use the presence of humans in our photos, though, as an approximation for how much our sites are used by humans, which could influence how wildlife use the sites. Please mark if you see our researchers as “researcher” in the details drop down at setup and take down. There are a lot of other options in the “details” tab but most are for other cites. Please just use “researcher” or “mower” as needed.

Gray Squirrel

Common tree squirrel species that are gray-brown with white-furred bellies. Gray squirrels have fluffy tails that are whiter than those of fox squirrels. Gray squirrels can exhibit a lot of variation, but look for the white “halo” or outline around the tail. Commonly seen foraging on the ground and climbing trees. Typically diurnal.

Often confused with: fox squirrel

Key characteristics:

• Primarily gray-brown coloration

• Gray, bushy tail with white halo

• Slightly smaller than fox squirrel

• White throat and belly

Fox Squirrel

The largest tree squirrel species in North America, fox squirrels are larger than gray squirrels with mottled rust-colored fur, and a black outline around a bushy tail. Typically diurnal.

Often confused with: gray squirrel, eastern cottontail

Key characteristics:

• Larger than gray squirrel

• Rusty orange/red fur along chin, neck, belly, and tail (can be variable)

• Bushy tail with yellowish halo lined by a dark halo

Tree Squirrel (cannot ID)

Many of the defining characteristics of Eastern Gray Squirrels and Fox Squirrels cannot be distinguished in black and white photographs. Any squirrel observed in a night-time photo should not be identified to the species level. Please choose “Tree Squirrel (Cannot ID)”.

Domestic Dog

A common household pet related to wolves, foxes and jackals. Domestic dogs can display a variety of sizes, as well as fur color and patterns.

Often confused with: coyote, red fox, gray fox

Key characteristics:

• Typically has a collar

• May be on a leash

• Often accompanied by a human

Please indicate if the dog is off or on leash. After entering “dog” as the species, use the Details section to select “on leash,” “off leash,” or “no collar.” If a dog is accompanied by our crew members, please select “researcher.”

Domestic Cat

A common household pet with a small build, a long tail and small pointed ears. Domestic cats display a variety of fur color and patterns.

Often confused with: raccoon, opossum, skunk

Key characteristics:

• Long, furry tail

• Variety of colors and patterns of fur

• Short snout

• Pointed ears

Raccoon

Stocky, brown-gray furred animal that appears to be wearing a black mask around its eyes. Other notable features include a rounded back, finger-like clawed toes, and a black-ringed tail. Raccoons are nocturnal, but photos during daylight hours, especially early morning  and late afternoon are not uncommon.

Often confused with: opossum, domestic cat

Key Characteristics:

• Black face mask

• Ringed tail

• Coarse, dark gray fur with a black halo

• Round form with hunched back

• Head often lower to ground than rump (due to their hind limbs being longer than their forelimbs)

Virginia Opossum

Adept tree climbers with clawed feet and an opposable big toe on rear paw. Opossums have a gray body, a white face with a pink nose, dark eyes, round black ears, and a long, hairless tail. Generally nocturnal, but photos during daylight hours are not uncommon, especially during the winter.

Often confused with: rat, raccoon, domestic cat, muskrat

Key Characteristics:

• Long, thick, hairless beige tail

• White, triangular face with a pink nose

• Black ears

• Light gray, fuzzy fur contrasting with dark legs and hairless feet

• Usually low to the ground, but capable of climbing trees

-Extra sets of glowing eyes on back of opossum may indicate babies (females opossums carry young in a pouch on their abdomen or on their back)

Coyote

The largest wild canid in St. Louis and far larger than red or gray foxes. Fur can be mottled gray or brown and the tail may have a black tip. Coyotes in St. Louis can have mange, a skin disease caused by a mite that results in hair loss and poor body condition. Generally nocturnal, but daytime photos are not uncommon.

Often confused with: domestic dog, red fox, gray fox

Key Characteristics:

• Elongated snout

• Pointed ears

• Black-tipped tail

• Light gray to dull yellow mottled fur

• Dog-like features

• About 2 feet tall

• No presence of dog collar

White-tailed Deer

A large, tan-colored, short-haired animal related to moose and reindeer. Deer have large ears and short fluffy tails that are white on the underside. Males are called bucks, females are called does, and the young are called fawns. Fawns have white spots, and adults may have antlers depending on the time of the year. Active both during day and night (crepuscular).  Please indicate if antlers are present, or young present in the “Details” tab. Do not use any other details.

Often confused with: coyote

Key Characteristics:

• Tan/brown fur

• Long, thin legs

• Long ears

• Short, tan tail with white on the underside

• Large eyes

• May have antlers

• Tallest wildlife species we see

• Young (fawns) have white spots on backside

Striped Skunk

Skunks have a single thin, white stripe down the middle of its face and two thicker white stripes originating at the top of its head running down either side of its back into a thick, bushy tail. Typically nocturnal.

Often confused with: domestic cat

Key Characteristics:

• -Cat-sized with shorter legs

• -Black fur with white stripes down back

• -Long, bushy tail, often with black and white fur

• Small, triangular head

Red Fox

A small to medium-sized animal with red/brown fur along its head and back, and white fur on its belly and typically at the tip of its bushy tail. Characterized by black fur on the back of their ears and legs ("socks"). Much smaller than a coyote, but a little larger than a gray fox.

Often confused with: coyote, gray fox, domestic dog

Key Characteristics:

• Black socks and black-tipped ears

• Red fur (most common color, but can show some variation)

• Smaller stature than a coyote

• Long, bushy tail with a white tip

• White throat, chest, and belly

Wild Turkey

A medium to large sized ground dwelling bird. It has a large fan-shaped tail. Long stocky pink or gray legs; short rounded wings; bare head and neck and a small down curved bill. This is the only bird species we ID to species. All other birds, just mark as “Bird” and write the species in the comments if you know it.

Often confused with: Hawk, owl

 Key Characteristics:

• Large, plump body

• Bare head and neck

• Large fan shaped tail

• Iridescent bronze body feathers with white bars on its wings

Armadillo

A small to medium-sized animal has sides, back, tail, and top of head are covered with bony dermal plates that are covered by a leathery skin. The head has 1 large plate from which the ears protrude the body has 2 large plates with a series of 9 smaller, moveable “bands” around the midsection; the short legs and tail have other series of plates. It does not have furry skin but only small amount of hair between the hardened plates.

Often confused with: black and white groundhog;  hard to confuse with anything else

Key Characteristics:

• No fur covering body

• Short legs, large claws

• Small protruding ears

• Sides, back, tail, and head covered in bony plates

• 9 bands of shell-like skin on back