International education and research in ecology and conservation, wildlife tracking, and human culture
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Sometimes these quiz photos will be from Africa, sometimes from North America, and sometimes from elsewhere, but don’t worry, we will always tell you the location. Give it a try and let’s learn together!
American beaver, Castor canadensis, Left front track
Probably a bagworm, exact species unknown (pupal case of some kind of moth), Spiny Forest, Madagascar
The interior of this is constructed of small twigs, and then silk is spun over the surface. What beings create silk? For the most part, caterpillars inside their bags (pupal chamber or retreat, depending on the sex and phase of life), and some spiders (as their retreat). While this one was found in Madagascar, we have also seen these (or very similar) in South Africa (see the additional photo from the Sabi Sands region of the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa, by Lee Gutteridge). One of our participants suggested Oiketicus platensis, which looks very similar but seems to be limited to South America.
How did you do? We’d love to hear from you!
In fact, we welcome your photo contributions from anywhere in the world! Send them to us HERE with your explanation of where they are from, what you think they are, and why you think so, and we could include them in a future quiz (giving you credit of course). Your photos will also become part of our searchable database that trackers can use for learning!
You can view old quizzes on the Original Wisdom website under the Resources tab, in the Tracking Gallery.
Happy Tracking!
The Team at Original Wisdom
One hundred percent of donations made in Brandon’s name are set aside to help provide for a high school or college student to travel to South Africa to participate in an Original Wisdom program. The student must have a strong passion for photography and/or wildlife tracking and be a part of a program or class that is learning about and working towards conservation.