Animal Identifier Blog

Field guides for identifying animals, birds, breeds and tracks — what to look for, and how to tell lookalikes apart.

Dark elongated snake droppings with chalky white urate cap on rocky ground near a wooden fence

October 26, 2026 • Wildlife Identification

Snake Poop: What Snake Droppings Look Like

Snake poop is a dark twisted mass with a chalky white cap. Learn how to identify snake droppings, see size by species, and handle cleanup safely.

Dark cylindrical opossum droppings on weathered wood, showing tapered ends and moist surface

October 23, 2026 • Wildlife Identification

Possum Poop: How to Identify Opossum Droppings

Learn what possum poop looks like, how to tell it from rat and cat droppings, where opossums leave their scat, and the health risks to know before cleanup.

Dark twisted coyote scat on a hiking trail with visible fur and tapered end

October 22, 2026 • Wildlife Identification

Coyote Poop: How to Identify Coyote Scat

Coyote poop is a dark, twisted rope with fur inside. Here's how to identify coyote scat, compare it to dog and fox droppings, and clean it up safely.

Bright green Io moth caterpillar with branched stinging spines on an oak leaf in Michigan

October 21, 2026 • Insect Identification

Poisonous Caterpillars in Michigan: Species That Sting

Michigan has caterpillars that sting. Learn which five species cause reactions, how to identify them in the field, and what to do if touched.

Close-up of a cream-white moth larva on natural wool fabric showing segmented body and dark head capsule

October 20, 2026 • Insect Identification

Moth Larva: What They Look Like and How to Identify Them

Moth larvae are pale, soft-bodied caterpillars 4 to 20mm long. Learn how to identify clothes moth and pantry moth larvae, and why they end up in your home.

Small dark brown squirrel droppings scattered on a weathered wooden deck railing

October 19, 2026 • Wildlife Identification

Squirrel Poop: What It Looks Like vs. Rat Droppings

Squirrel poop is dark, oblong, and blunt-ended. Here's how to tell it from rat droppings, where you'll find it, and how to clean it up.

October 16, 2026 • Snake Identification

Texas Snake Identification Chart

Texas snake identification chart: 96 species, 14 venomous. Quick-reference table by color and pattern, plus field checks for all 4 venomous groups.

A small brown American house spider in a dusty cobweb in the corner of a room

October 15, 2026 • Spider Identification

Small Brown Spiders in the House: What They Are

Found a small brown spider in your house? Here are the 4 most common species, how to tell them apart, and the quick two-feature check for brown recluse.

Black snake with white belly resting on a rock, showing glossy black dorsum and cream-colored underside

October 14, 2026 • Snake Identification

Black Snakes With White Bellies: Identification Guide

Found a black snake with a white belly? This guide covers 5 common US species, key field marks, and which venomous snakes look similar.

Eastern chipmunk and eastern gray squirrel side by side showing size difference and chipmunk facial stripes

October 13, 2026 • Wildlife Identification

Chipmunk vs Squirrel: How to Tell Them Apart

Chipmunk or squirrel? Look at the face first. Chipmunks have 2 dark eye stripes; no squirrel does. Full guide to size, markings, tail, and behavior.

Bold jumping spider with three white spots on black abdomen

October 12, 2026 • Spider Identification

Black Spiders With White Spots: What You're Looking At

The black spider with white spots on your wall is almost certainly a bold jumping spider, harmless and curious. Here's how to identify all 6 common species.

A dog with mixed breed features looking at the camera in a natural outdoor setting

October 9, 2026 • Dog Breeds

Dog Breed Identifier: How to Find Out Your Dog's Breed

A complete guide to dog breed identifiers: visual traits, photo AI apps, and DNA testing. Learn which method works for purebreds vs. mixed breeds.

What Animal Is That?

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