Naturally Bexar

Making Tracks

Wild Animals!

The Salado Creek area has plenty of food, water and shelter for all kinds of wild animals.

Maybe you will see some of their tracks in the soft, muddy soil near the water's edge!

Students who have visited Salado Creek in the past have found evidence of deer, dog, duck, fox, opossum, raccoon, skunk and many, many more.

It is entirely possible, for example, that bobcats still inhabit the Salado area. A wildlife observer reported finding the remains of one of these beautiful cats in an uninhabited area north of Interstate 35 in 2001.

While you are looking for tracks, you may also find other animal signs like nests, partially eaten food items and waste products like owl pellets.

Did you know animal poop has a special name? It's called scat. Rabbit scat is small round pellets up to .5 inch long. Some scat is brightly colored and full of seeds.

And don't forget to listen! Even if you don't see evidence of a particular animal, if you are quiet, you may hear their call, especially if you visit in the early morning or late in the evening as the nocturnal hunters begin to stir.

If you'd like to learn more, Texas Parks and Wildlife publishes a terrific pocket-sized reference. Ask for the "Texas Wildlife Identification Guide...A guide to game animals, game birds, migratory game birds and furbearers of Texas."

This helpful resource includes beautiful color photos, drawings of tracks, ranges and preferred habitats.

Texas Parks and Wildlife: 1-800-792-1112.