Warning Signs That You've Just Hiked Into An Animal's Territory

For fans of the outdoors — you know, the active people you always see going on insanely cool hikes — there is a basic understanding that the activity you're undertaking takes place in a natural space shared by other creatures. As a result, it is important to respect them and avoid any damaging practices. However, sometimes, you must also be careful for your own sake — unless you want to accidentally find yourself face-to-face with an aggressive wild boar or even run into a bear while hiking or camping.

Luckily, animals have a system of communicating where their territory begins and where it ends. With different warnings designed to alert other creatures (humans included) that they are entering an animal's space, this system is called territorial marking. This essentially involves animals leaving behind scent trails, visual markers, or (if you can actually see them) showcasing physical clues to establish boundaries and communicate ownership of specific areas.

So, next time you're planning an adventurous safari getaway to one of East Africa's most underrated national parks, venturing out to a vast nature park spanning five countries, or simply exploring one of the 63 national parks in the U.S., keeping your eyes peeled for one of these warning signs left behind by animals is essential for your safety — and will help you avoid entering their marked territory for your own sake.

There are many reasons an animal marks their territory, including survival, reproduction, and resource control. Most animals do this through several methods. One of the main methods of territorial marking is through leaving scents behind — like a dog peeing on a tree or a tiger spraying scent markers. These scents help establish territory and dominance, while, at the same time, conveying information about their sex and reproductive status. For example, if you smell an animal's urine or feces nearby, it is usually a mammal marking its ground.

Beyond that, there are also different cues that will help you determine if you've accidentally entered an animal's territory. Sounds will be a major factor. These will be either repetitive — which serves to mark territory and inform about the animal's identity — or varying in pitch, tone, or rhythm, which usually signals the animal's intentions. While animals like songbirds might use complex songs to advertise their territory boundaries, wolves may howl repetitively to mark their range. Meanwhile, alarm calls from small mammals, or the deep roars of big cats, can also be a warning sign they're about to turn aggressive.

In the unlucky situation that you're close enough to see the animal, visual cues are essential. An animal's posture can provide helpful information on its intentions, while facial expressions will serve to showcase the animal's emotions. For example, a cat arching its back or a bear making direct eye contact indicates a threat display, and carnivores snarling and baring their teeth typically signal aggression. Ultimately, learning the significance of these behaviors can warn you of the existence of potentially dangerous situations nearby.