Important Animal Tracks for Pet Owners in the Hudson Valley

The Hudson Valley is full of fascinating wildlife. Unfortunately, some of these animals can spell danger for your pets.

From beavers to bears and everything in between, New York state's ecosystem is bustling. Knowing which tracks belong to which animals can be helpful for not only the safety of your furry best friends, but to have a better knowledge of the natural world around you. Here are some of the most important tracks to know.

Coyote Tracks in New York

Coyotes might be the animal to pose the most significant danger to your pet. Both cats and smaller dogs can fall victim to hungry coyotes, and while these instances are rare, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) acknowledges their potential danger to both animals and humans, and urges all New Yorkers to takes steps like securing garbage and bringing pets inside at night to keep coyotes away.

Red Fox Tracks in New York

Red foxes, while not a danger to full-grown cats or dogs, are still a helpful track to know. Not only can they inform you when (and how long) you let your dogs out at night, tracks can also be a sign that you need to secure garbage cans or any outside food. Their call can also sound like someone being horrifically murdered, so knowing that it's a fox, and not Jason Voorhees, is helpful as well.

Skunk Tracks in New York

Skunk tracks are important to recognize not because of the nuisance they may become. With documented cases of skunks coexisting with cats (and eating their food), as well as the famed rivalry between skunks and dogs (aggressive dogs will most likely be sprayed by a cornered skunk as a defense mechanism), knowing if you have one or more nearby can be helpful information.

Opossum Tracks in New York

Similarly, knowing opossum tracks can be helpful to keep one of our most under-appreciated friends alive. Opossums cannot contract rabies, and are one of our best natural defenses against ticks (one of their favorite snacks). Loose dogs at night, however, can easily turn a possum into a meal, negating all the positive additions our marsupial friends provide.

Read More: VIDEO of Awesome Predator Released in Upstate New York

No matter what the wild animal, it's always a good idea to keep them separated from your pets. From physical danger (to both animals) to the nuisance of critters rummaging in your trash, there are peaceful ways to coexist... that begin with knowing which local wildlife is making tracks through your yard.