Tips for tracking animals

If you know what you're doing, a short look at a landscape will tell you a lot about what the inhabitants have been doing and who they are.
The term for the evidence left by animals, of their presence, is spoor. This includes dung, footprints and other evidence such as damaged vegetation.
Animal sounds are also very helpful, not just from the animal you're looking for, but alarms calls that come from the animals it preys on if it's a predator.
If you're looking for mammals at sea, such as humpback whales, a 'spout' or 'blow' tells you where the animal is (as will a breach, but that makes it very easy!).
It's also helpful to know something of an animals habits and behaviours if you're trying find one. 

• Is it more active at night or during the day?
• Where does it hangout?
• Is it migratory?
• What does its footprints look like and how big are they?

Basically, the more you know, the better.
And all of this applies equally to wildlife you might come across at home!

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