Urban Wildlife: Animals in Your Backyard

You don't need to venture into the wilderness to encounter wildlife. Cities are home to a surprising variety of animals, and learning to identify their signs can open up a whole new world right in your backyard.

Common Urban Wildlife

Urban environments support more wildlife than most people realize:

Raccoons

These adaptable mammals thrive in cities. Their scat is tubular, 2-3 inches long, often containing undigested food like berries or corn. Look for it near garbage areas or along fence lines.

Opossums

North America's only marsupial leaves smooth, curved droppings about 1-2 inches long. They're often found under decks or in gardens.

Urban Coyotes

Increasingly common in cities, coyote scat resembles dog droppings but contains hair and bones. It's often deposited prominently as a territorial marker.

Squirrels

Small, pellet-like droppings, often found at the base of trees or on decks. Fresh squirrel scat is brown; older droppings turn white.

Creating Wildlife-Friendly Spaces

Understanding urban wildlife helps us coexist peacefully:

• Secure garbage to prevent conflicts
• Provide water sources during dry periods
• Plant native species for food and shelter
• Create corridors between green spaces
• Avoid using rodenticides that harm predators

Citizen Science with Animal Scat Identifier

Urban wildlife tracking with the Animal Scat Identifier app contributes valuable data to conservation efforts. Your backyard observations help scientists understand how animals adapt to human environments and inform urban planning decisions.

Join over 50,000 wildlife enthusiasts who are already using Animal Scat Identifier to track urban wildlife. Download from the App Store and start contributing to conservation science today!