Frequently Asked Questions

To help you in the search for an answer to your question, check out our FAQs. As we are a small team, it can take up to 5 working days to answer all queries received, so we have collated some of the questions we are often asked, some of which we can not answer, or can provide alternative contacts who can.

Have a comment, question or a photo to share? Then please do join our Facebook group free and post your questions and images there. We have over 1,500 group members with plenty of active and useful discussions going on. The group is closed, so please request to join and an Administrator will add you.

I have found something (hair, skull, nut etc), can I send it to you?

The Mammal Society office is a small team of administrative staff. While we have skills in mammal identification, it might take us a while to send the sample on to an expert, receive a reply and get back to you. Unfortunately we will not be able to return any samples sent to us. It might be better to send a photo of your sample, along with a description, to info@themammalsociety.org, where if we can not identify what it is, we might request the sample be sent to us.

I’ve seen a mammal but I don’t know what it is. What do I do?

If you are unsure of what you have seen, ask your local County Mammal Recorder, who has local knowledge and will be able to help you identify what you saw.

If you have a photo of a mammal and require identification, upload it to www.ispotnature.org, where a community of experts will be able to tell you what it is you saw. Your record will be shared with us by iSpot, where it will contrbute to the National Mammal Atlas Project (NMAP). For any other queries relating to unidentified sightings of mammals, please email atlas@themammalsociety.org.

I’ve seen a mammal and know what it is. Where do I send the record?

If you have a sighting you want to submit as a record, go directly to our online form on the NMAP page to send us your record and compare it with other sightings for that species across the country. If you have any questions or comments to go with your sighting, you can send the information by email to atlas@themammalsociety.org.

I need records of a certain species. Can I get species records from you?

The Mammal Society does not hold record sets of species. We suggest you contact your local record centre or visit the NBN Gateway. The Mammal Society is gathering records to better inform mammal distribution maps, but these datasets have to be verified before we make them publicly available.

I would like to volunteer with you.

That’s brilliant! The Mammal Society provides opportunities to get involved in surveys, or if you want office based volunteering with us, please email us at info@themammalsociety.org. We do occasionally offer student placements or volunteering at events. Contact us to find out more.

Who do I get in touch with?

If you have a particular enquiry about training, events, membership and so on, please visit the Contact Us page for details of our staff who will be able to help you with your query,

I have found something (hair, skull, nut etc), can I send it to you?

I’ve seen a mammal but I don’t know what it is. What do I do?

I’ve seen a mammal and know what it is. Where do I send the record?

I need records of a certain species. Can I get species records from you?

I would like to volunteer with you.

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