6 Signs of Wildlife Kids Can Spot on a Hike

One of the most exciting parts of the Bear Habitat adventure is learning how to look fo rsigns of wildlife (without actually disturbing the animals) Whether you’re hiking through a park, walking a local trail, or just exploring your neighborhood, there are clues all around that animals have been nearby.

Requirement 7: “Respect Wildlife” – From a safe distance, identify as you look up, down, and around you, six signs of any mammals, birds, insects, reptiles.

In this post, you’ll find 6 easy wildlife signs your Scout can look for, along with tips to help them spot and record what they see.

1. Animal Tracks

Look for footprints in dirt, mud, or soft sand. Common ones include deer, dogs, raccoons, or birds. Some might be fresh, others might be faded or partial.

2. Feathers

Bird feathers are a great sign that something flew through recently. You might find them on the ground, stuck in bushes, or near water.

3. Insect Trails or Nests

Ant hills, spider webs, wasp nests, or even a trail of ants are all valid signs. Look low and near trees or logs.

4. Chewed Leaves, Nuts, or Pinecones

Many animals leave behind nibbled shells, scattered seeds, or stripped bark. Squirrels and chipmunks are especially easy to “catch” in the act if you stay quiet and still.

5. Scat (Animal Droppings)

Gross? Maybe. Helpful? Absolutely. Scat can tell you what kind of animal was there and even what they ate. Just observe – don’t touch.

6. Nests, Holes, or Burrows

Look up for bird nests or tree activities, and down for animal burrows or holes in the ground. Just make sure your Scout keeps a safe distance and doesn’t disturb any real habitat.

Try Our Printable: Wildlife Signs Scanveger Hunt Bingo!

To make things even more fun, we created a kid-friendly Wildlife Sings Scavenger Hunt Bingo game you can use on your hike! It includes common signs like animal tracks, feathers, bugs, nests and more. All things your Scout can spot without needing to see actual animals.

This is a scavenger hunt styled like a bingo game! Kids look for wildlife clues outdoors and mark what they find on their grid. Encourage them to aim for a complete row, column, or diagonal — just like traditional bingo — or go for a full blackout if you have time!

This turns your walk into a game while helping your Scout complete Bear Habitat Requirement 7. (Just remind them to observe from a distance and leave everything exactly where they found it.)