Can Wildlife See My Trail Camera?

This is a common question we are asked, and for good reason. People using trail cameras generally do not want to disturb the animals they are watching or cause a significant change in behaviour - especially when a scientific study is taking place.

In all likelihood, some of the species present in the area are going to be aware of your trail camera to some extent, at least initially. However, whether they can actually ‘see’ the camera, and how much of an impact this might have are slightly more complex questions.

Animal responses to cameras vary widely

During our work, we have captured a number of videos where animals interact with the cameras themselves - some simply look towards the camera, while others venture closer for a sniff or a gentle chew! This is particularly common with larger mammals, such as foxes and badgers which appear to be more likely to notice the appearance of a novel item in their environment.

Camera trap still of a gray wolf - Bioterra, Croatia

Despite this, most captures seem to show animals seemingly unaware, or unbothered by the cameras - especially birds, hedgehogs and other smaller creatures. These varying responses between species is likely due to the different ways these animals perceive the world around them. The ‘quality’ of vision an animal has, including the wavelengths of light that it can see, differs greatly between species. A trail camera will be ‘seen’ in a different way and to a different extent depending on who is looking at it.

Even sensitivity within species can vary greatly. Foxes detected during our Yorkshire Pine Marten Project, for example, were split pretty evenly - with some appearing curious about the cameras while others were unfazed.

Low-glow vs No-Glow LEDs

Most trail cameras use LEDs that produce infrared light, rather than a standard white flash, in order to keep disturbance to a minimum at night. Those described as ‘no-glow’ produce light at a higher wavelength (940nm) than those labelled as ‘low-glow’ (850nm) and so are theoretically less visible to wildlife. Light emitted by low-glow LEDs is visible to people, appearing as a faint red glow similar to that of a standby light on a television. By comparison, the light emitted by no-glow LEDs is invisible to humans - making these very useful for security purposes!

In reality, studies suggest that many species are still able to see some light coming from these cameras. Further research confirmed some mustelids have the ability to see wavelengths of light up to 870-920nm.

Our own experiences of animals reacting similarly to both types of LED over the years supports this idea. Therefore, unless you are viewing a particularly elusive or sensitive species, a low-glow camera is likely to be a perfectly suitable choice with the added benefit of higher quality images!

For more details on the differences between no-glow and low-glow cameras, as well as how to choose between them, please see our help article here.

Other senses

Even if wildlife cannot see your camera, other factors might pique their interest. The scent of whoever set the camera, especially soon after deployment, can be strong enough to grab the attention of passing animals. Badgers, for example, have a very strong sense of smell and often approach cameras for a good sniff! Over time this scent will dissipate and any response to this should reduce.

Camera trap still of a badger - Yorkshire Pine Marten Project

According to studies, the inner workings of a camera trap can produce operational sounds that are audible to many animals. Camera trap manufacturers have worked to design cameras that are as quiet as possible, however slight noises from internal moving parts are tricky to completely rule out. If you have used a trail camera before, you may have picked up on a slight 'click' as the IR filter moves between day and night mode. Depending on the levels of background noise, animals may also pick up on this and be alerted to the cameras presence.

Should I be concerned about wildlife seeing my camera?

Trail cameras are designed to be as non-invasive as possible for wildlife watching and monitoring. When it comes to scientific research they offer a significantly less impactful way of monitoring when compared with alternative methods

Generally, even if animals notice your camera initially, they will become habituated to it over time. For garden use, disturbance caused by a camera is likely to be limited and not something to be too concerned about. 

If you are aiming to study or view a species you know to be particularly sensitive or elusive, then it might be worth trying the following:

• Choose a no-glow camera, particularly if you are placing the camera somewhere with public access, or where security is a concern.
• Wear gloves when handling the camera to reduce your scent left at the site
• Minimise disturbance to the site itself e.g. avoid clearing vegetation where possible.
• Avoid checking your camera too regularly, as this will introduce new scents and disturb the site further.

Happy Camera Trapping!

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