Unseen Animals: Nocturnal Species

Walking through this area during the day, it's hard to know just how many animal species live and thrive in this area. Why? Because many of them are most active at night (nocturnal) or at dawn and dusk (crepuscular). There are foxes, skunks, opossum, river otters, raccoons, bats, and muskrats living in trees, blackberry thickets, or holes in the ground resting until it's safe for them to come out to eat and drink. One way to notice what animals are around, even if they're sleeping, is to look for signs they leave in the immediate area. Can you see imprints of animal feet in the dirt (tracks)? Can you smell a skunk in the area? Has a beaver been gnawing on a tree? While you walk around, see if you can spot signs of the many creatures that live in this woodland. Following "Tracks and Signs" is becoming an increasingly popular skill with numerous tracking clubs and certifications around the Bay Area and Valley.