Almost 50 mammal species call the campus home, thanks largely to the range of habitats found on campus and the protection afforded by the Campus Natural Reserve. Some, like the black-tailed deer, are easy to observe, while others, like bats, shrews, and woodrats, are rarely seen. Mammals can be observed indirectly, though, by looking for scat (poop), footprints, trails, burrows, and nests. If you find an area that seems to have a lot of these signs, come back at dawn or dusk, sit still, and watch. When you see an unfamiliar mammal, look closely at markings on the face and legs and the length of the tail – these traits will often help you identify it later.