Tips for Glowing Eyes

While some of this information may be covered throughout the rest of the guide, this section will detail traits that will be especially important to look for when trying to identify animals in night photos based on eye glow and few visible characteristics.

White-tailed deer and eastern cottontails: These species are unique in that their eyes are located on either side of their head, rather than the front of their head. This results in many photos of a single glowing eye from when only the animal’s side profile is caught by the camera. These single eyes are easily differentiated by height, as deer are our tallest wildlife species in the area and rabbits stay very close to the ground. For rabbits, look for a set of tall ears above the eyes.

Mice and rats: Both of these species have large eyes compared to their small body size, and their eyes will typically be viewed on the ground. Look for a long cord-like tail on both species, with the rat being about the size of an eggplant and the mouse being about the size of a clementine.

Virginia opossums: Opossums’ eyes are closer together on the front of their triangular- shaped face. They tend to stay low to the ground, but may be seen climbing trees. Their eyes are also much larger than those of mice and rats, but smaller than the eyes of a raccoon.

Raccoons: The eyes of a raccoon are larger and farther apart than an opossum’s eyes and are framed by a black mask. Similar to opossums, raccoons tend to stay close to the ground, but they are taller than opossums, can climb very well, and can stand on their hind feet.

Striped skunks: Look for the black and white fur. Nothing else has the same distinctive coloration.

Foxes and coyotes: Foxes and coyotes have relatively similar eyes in terms of size. However, the eyes of a red fox are closer together and brighter than a coyote’s eyes. In addition to the eye glow, look for the general height of the eyes, as foxes are typically 1 foot tall and coyotes are typically 2 feet tall. Additionally, while both species have hairy tails, fox tails are much bushier than a coyote’s tail, which tapers at the end.

Domestic cats: Cats have large, round eyes that will typically be seen higher off the ground than opossums. Look for their pointed ears, long legs, and long tail.

Gray and fox squirrels: Without any color, it is difficult to differentiate between gray and fox squirrels. In this scenario, please tag it as Tree Squirrel (cannot ID).

Flying squirrels: Flying squirrels have very large, round eyes for their small body size. Look for a size much smaller than gray and fox squirrels and for flaps of skin between the front and hind limbs.