Can You Identify These Common Trail Animals?

Bullfrogs are massive amphibians that eat just about everything; even other bullfrogs. They can make a huge racket on the trail but are not dangerous to humans or companion animals.

Raccoons may look cute and cuddly, but make no mistake — these masked bandits can be dangerous to humans. They generally only come out at night, and are notorious pillagers of trash.

Tiny hummingbirds might just be the most adorable animals out there, but they are notoriously tricky to spot out in the wild. If you come across one of these beauties, consider yourself lucky!

Black bears are common animals in the wild, and they do pose a large danger to humans who surprise them in their natural habitat. Black bears can be food-aggressive and territorial.

Although their name specifies that they are from Canada, these geese can be found all over North America. They are large birds that tend to move in big flocks and can be a bit cranky.

Common brown bats might look a little bit scary, but humans have virtually nothing to fear from them. They are quite useful creatures who hunt at night and use echolocation to navigate.

Wood ducks are generally very beautiful animals that are notable for their vivid green and brown coloring. These docile creatures spend their days paddling around ponds out in the wild.

This large marsupial might look a little frightening, but it's actually a very helpful animal that consumes insects that might otherwise harm people. If you see one on the trail, leave it be.

Turkey vultures are expert scavengers that prefer freshly deceased carrion or human garbage. They will occasionally kill their prey, but they prefer not to do the dirty work.

You will find several of these fluffy creatures hopping down the bunny trail. Cottontail rabbits are quick, shy creatures that generally flee from humans that tread into their territory.

The bald eagle is easily most recognizable as the national animal emblem of the United States, and you can find it all over the continental United States, Alaska and most of Canada.

Beavers are known for their powerful teeth and broad flat tails. They scamper all over the wilderness, cutting down trees with their razor-sharp teeth, and building dams in the rivers.

Considered large songbirds, blue jays are the bright azure birds that will make your day out in the wilderness all that more colorful. They are most common in the northern U.S. and southern Canada.

Woodrats are also known as packrats, and they are prevalent on the trail. These rodents might look a little bit scary, but they really don't pose any serious threat to people who are hiking.

Graceful egrets are actually a type of heron that is most commonly found in the wetlands. They tend to stay to themselves and do not usually confront humans. Their wingspan is massive!

Squirrels are bushy-tailed beauties that are actually a large type of rodent. They are highly social animals that scamper around in trees and spend much of their time foraging for food.

Red-tailed hawks are very common birds of prey that you can find all over North America and even down as far south as Panama. They are deadly adept hunters with very evolved eyesight.

Woodchucks are also known as groundhogs and are very common animals in the woods. The most famous woodchuck is Punxsutawney Phil, who predicts whether or not spring will come early.

Great horned owls are also known as hoot owls or tiger owls. They are common birds that have astounding strength in their talons. Great horned owls also debut in J.K. Rowling's universe, as Harry Potter's pet was one.

Chipmunks are probably the cutest rodents in the entire world. They are minuscule, striped, and extremely fast. Still, don't try to corner one. Like most rodents, chipmunks have a nasty bite.

You can find the red salamander in bodies of standing water all over the United States. These bright creatures are red with small black dots. Their coloring actually deters predators.

Corn snakes are fairly docile animals that will not usually attempt to harm or to bite people. Their skins are bright yellow and orange, and they can grow as large as 6 feet long.

As their name suggests, woodpeckers are known for tapping away at trees in search of insects to eat. Many of them subsist solely on insects, but some woodpeckers like berries as well.

What you might not notice while you're making your way down the trail, is that there are dozens of tunnels buried right beneath your feet. You can thank moles, which are small, burrowing mammals.

White-tailed deer are common animals that dot the trail. They don't pose a threat to humans unless they wander into populated areas and dart out in front of traffic at dusk or dawn.

Pygmy shrews have super metabolisms and need to eat every two hours or else they will not survive. These tiny creatures are found all over the northern United States and parts of Alaska.

Muskrats can be fairly aggressive and have been known to attack humans, especially small children. They are semi-aquatic and can be quite territorial. They cause shore erosion with their burrowing.

Coyotes are a type of wild wolf that tends to roam around on the trail. They are pack animals and expert scavengers and can be dangerous to humans or companion animals if confronted.

Lynxes are beautiful animals whose soft, furry coat has been coveted by humans for centuries. As a result, these creatures are not dangerous to people, but people can be very dangerous for them.

Robins are common songbirds that can be spotted all over the trail. They are notable for their red chests, and their appearance in your lawn is indicative of the end of winter and beginning of spring.

Grizzly bears are prevalent in the northern part of the United States, Canada and Alaska, and are considered to be exceptionally dangerous to humans. They are gigantic apex predators.

River otters are famous for being playful animals that are highly sociable and intelligent. They are semi-aquatic, meaning that they can live both in and out of rivers as they choose.

Copperhead snakes are poisonous pit vipers that are venomous and can be aggressive. Although their bites are not generally fatal, it is best to avoid them if you see them on the trail.

Grey foxes are nocturnal creatures that are most common between dusk and dawn. These quick creatures are very tough to spot, but you might get lucky and see one or two on the trail.

Snapping turtles have exceptionally powerful jaws and often will bite clean through their prey. Their jaws are often locking, and they will not easily let go of their intended target.

While not common sights on the trail, it is possible to run across a bobcat if you are deep in the woods. Bobcats are medium-sized cats, but don't let that fool you! They can be fierce.

Skunks are well known for their best defense mechanism; their ability to douse their enemies with a spray of foul stench. Run afoul of a skunk, and you could find yourself a target.

Also known as cougars, mountain lions prefer to avoid the company of humans. Encounters are exceptionally rare, but when they happen, they usually don't end well for the person in question.

Rattlesnakes are a type of pit viper that uses its castanet-like tail to warn predators that it is underfoot. You would be wise to listen to the warning, as rattlesnakes are exceptionally dangerous.

Wild turkeys are a lot like their domesticated cousins, but they tend to be slimmer. If nobody grabs them for Thanksgiving dinner, these animals can live up to five years in the wild.