Naturalist 101: Skulls, Scat and Tracks Workshop

Mammals can be tricky to observe out in the wild. They're usually shy, afraid of people, and-to complicate matters even more-sometimes active only at night. Often the only evidence they're nearby or have roamed through an area is from what they've left behind: skulls, scat (feces) and tracks. These are some of the clues that wildlife biologists use to determine what animals live in certain areas and how they interact with their habitat and one another.

In this California Academy of Sciences Naturalist 101 workshop:

• Learn the basics of tracking, including classifying track patterns and scat shapes.
• Find out what features to look for in identifying a skull and how they can help determine whether the animal was predator or prey-or perhaps both.
• Put your skills to the test and conduct an in-class wildlife investigation, using hands-on specimens from the Academy's Naturalist Center.

Reservations: (Does not include admission to the Academy). For adults and families with children ages 10 and up. Space is limited; reservations required. Please reserve a space online or call 415-379-8000. Meet us inside the Staff & Research entrance on Nancy Pelosi Drive.