Whether you go bird watching or looking for some wildlife, the one thing you have to keep in mind is that animals are experts at camouflage. It’s pure animal instinct to protect their life–you never know when you may pass a tiger without even realizing it. This is the one thing that makes wildlife watching a tad bit difficult.

But, if you are down to learn about spotting wildlife, nothing can stop you from doing so. And that’s exactly where this guide comes in to help!

1. Be Present

This may sound like a simple tip but it is the most crucial piece of advice–whether you are on a hike or strolling through the forest, the best way to spot a wild animal is just to be present. Most of the time, these animals are right under your nose but you are either too distracted by something else or you have something occupying your mind. So, you have to be mindful of where you look and what you hear. These animals will rarely be found just standing in the middle of your path now, will they?

Toth Photos/Pexels | Put the phone down and be present

2.  Look For Movement

As mentioned earlier, these animals are great at concealing themselves to protect themselves from predators, including humans. So, when you go out, don’t expect an animal to be present right in front of you. Instead, look for movement. This is going to help you locate an animal that is hiding nearby and who knows? Maybe you’ll spot a tail or a head peeking through the bushes.

Danne/Pexels | There are also books out there that help you in spotting wildlife

3. Follow The Footprints

As a wildlife watcher, you should be well prepared and well equipped with the right skills to find what you are looking for because sometimes, you’ll need to track down your animal. So, from footprints to fecal matter, everything serves as a clue to help you find the animal you are looking for. If you see a freshly eaten carcass, there’s a good chance that an animal is close by or hiding from you. You can also create an understanding of the animal with the help of their scratch marks. Overall, tracking only adds an interesting and fun element to wildlife watching and it is a good skill to have.

Janko Ferlic/Pexels | You can check out ‘Peterson’s Field Guide to Animal Tracks’ by Olaus Murie

Now that you are completely prepared, where are you headed next?