What comes to mind when you think of a safari? Is it something that happens only in far away places like the African savannah? Did you know that the term “safari” simply refers to an expedition (or adventure) to observe animals in their natural habitat? No Land Rovers required, only your eyes, some quiet feet and the desire to observe animals doing what they do best: being wild!
This issue of Boomerang is all about going WILD, but we don’t mean growing huge fangs and ripping your bedroom to shreds. We want you to get outside right here in Hancock County and explore all the fun, wild adventures awaiting you this summer!
Let’s go on safari in Hancock County!
What do you know about local fauna (a fancy word for animals)? Do you know which ones you can see running around this time of year? Do you know how they like to hunt and what they eat? What about where they sleep? Going on safari will help you observe all of these things, but first you need a guide.
Below we have some of the most common animals sighted during the summer months (and some that are rare too!). Using this guide, you will be able to lead your family on an excellent adventure. Head out to one of your family’s favorite forest preserves (or check out our list below) and get started by reading our guide to see which animals might be hanging around.
Gray Squirrel: Gray fur ball with a bushy tail and a knack for taking down bird feeders
- Habitat: Trees, builds nests made of twigs and lined with soft bark, leaves, moss, pine needles and fur
- Food: In late summer, they like to eat wild cherries, hickory nuts, oak acorns and berries
- When and where you can find them: Most active in early morning or late evening hours, scampering on the ground and climbing trees in most areas of the woods (and even your own neighborhood)
- Fun fact: A squirrel’s front teeth never stop growing, so they rely on chewing to help manage the size!
Striped Skunk: Black and white furry friend (or foe if you get too close)…steer clear of it’s spray!
- Habitat: Open or wooded areas and even in urban and suburban environments
- Food: Uses long claws to dig up insects and worms in the ground and from rotten logs
- When and where to find them: They are usually nocturnal, or sleep at night, but are sometimes found during the day in
- Fun fact: Skunks have poor eyesight and may stomp or arch their back when they are scared, which means “get away from me, I might spray you!”
White-tailed Deer: Large, brown forest friend that blends in well except for a flash of white tail.
- Habitat: Forests, at the edge of wooded areas and farmlands
- Food: During summer months, they love to eat broad-leaf herbaceous plants and buds
- When and where to find them: Most active at dawn or dusk and can be found among trees in the woods or in open fields
- Fun fact: Deer are fast runners that can reach a speed of up to 35 mph and jump more than 8 feet. They also have excellent vision and are 20x more sensitive to blue light than humans, but cannot see orange or red as well as we can.
Coyotes: Looks similar to a German Shepard, with a long, slender snout and pointed ears
- Habitat: Coyotes mate for life and raise their pups in a den, usually located on a bank, in a cave or in an enlarged rabbit burrow
- Food: One of the peak predators of the forest, coyotes won’t eat humans, but they will hunt other smaller prey such as rabbits, squirrels, frogs and even scraps of fruits, vegetables and human foods
- When and where to find them: Normally avoidant of humans, but can be active in the day or night time. You might see scat (or poop) on a hiking trail that looks like a dogs, but it may be a coyote’s!
- Fun fact: Coyotes are incredibly smart and have learned to survive in just about any habitat!
Where can you find all of these cool animals?
Now you are ready to get onto the trail and observe animals in their natural habitat, right? In order to find one of these wild Hancock County residents, you can head to one of the nature preserves listed below or another one your family enjoys for hiking:
- Thornwood Nature Preserve
- Pennsy Trail
- Jacob Schramm Nature Preserve
- Beckenholdt Park
Use all of your senses to track and observe like a real safari guide
As you travel on your safari expedition, remember to use all of your senses to notice the animals and plants around you. If you take your time and let your sight, smell and hearing sharpen, you might see and hear things you would have otherwise missed!
Which animals will you see? Which ones will you find that aren’t on our list? Head out early in the morning, stay on the trails, try to be as quiet as you can and you might find something special this summer. Either way, we hope you have a great time exploring right here in your own backyard!
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