Michigan ZoomIN

What happens after I classify an image?

After you classify an image, other people will classify the same image and consensus algorithms will aggregate everyone's choices into what it thinks is the "best guess" for that particular image after it has received enough classifications and has been "retired." For instance, if 90% of respondents say an image contains a deer, it will conclude that it is a deer. If there is a discrepancy with a particular image, where there is 50% or less agreement on the content of an image, we can review the image afterwards.

It’s difficult to tell what's in the image! Why isn't there an "I Don't Know" or "I Can't Tell" button?

Trust us, we know. Given these cameras are motion-triggered, sometimes you get only part of an animal or a blur as it jumped away from the camera. Or it's a small animal and you can't tell if it's a grey fox or a red fox or a marten. Just remember that multiple people are viewing these images and even a guess will help us correctly identify the animal! If you'd like to read a fuller explanation of this, see this blog post from the Snapshot Serengeti project.

What should I do if I get an "Already Seen" banner?

If you receive this message at the top left of the image, it means you've already classified it and can move on to another image. Just refresh the page to get a new image!

Why so many deer?

Deer are among the most common mammal in Michigan (squirrels are another). Because of their abundance and activity patterns, you will see deer frequently triggering our camera. This is not a problem and actually results in a higher probability of seeing carnivores (such as coyotes and gray wolf). You'll see a lot of deer, and every once in a while you'll see a lovely, spotted fawn close by!

Why are some images in black and white and some in color?

We use multiple kinds of cameras. Some are infrared, which are triggered by more subtle movements, and these produce the black and white images you see. The other cameras that we've deployed use a flash like a conventional camera and take photos in daytime and nighttime.

Can I change my classification if I realized I did something wrong?

While you can cancel an in-process classification by clicking on the small "X" next to the species name after you identify an animal, once you click "Done" you can't change your response. However, don't worry about it! Because the photos are seen by so many people, at least two outcomes will occur: 1) your incorrect answer will be outweighed by people's correct answers or 2) there will be enough discrepancy amongst answers that members of the research team will look at the image.

Why is there a button for humans?

Some of these animals live on land protected from hunting. If you see someone in an image that doesn't look like they are a researcher testing equipment, they may be trespassing. We can help authorities patrol and stop illegal hunting in these areas.

How do you decide where to put a camera?

With a huge area to cover, we need to be both systematic and strategic in where we place cameras. We often have 60 or more cameras covering a large area, and we will shift the position of these over multiple deployments to the maximum area possible. In general, we are looking for spots that are far away from human traffic, but are at the intersection of multiple animal trails, contain evidence of animal usage such as tracks, scat or burrows, and have characteristics conducive to particular species; for instance, a series of tall pine trees clustered together is an ideal spot for black bears to scratch their backs!

What if I know the specific animal in the image but there isn't an option for it?

If we were to put every type of bird in this survey, there would be many, many more choices for you to choose from! The best way to identify a specific animal that doesn't have its own option is to use the "Talk" section. Use the hashtag #new_animal and write what species you think it is. A team member will review it and add it to the final data.

What should I do if I see a wolverine or a cougar?

These two animals are rarely seen in Michigan. If you do think you see one, please let us know in the Talk section of that particular image so we can verify and report to authorities. This is news that needs to be shared!

What if I have other questions that aren't in the FAQ or in the Tutorial?

Ask us in the Talk section! We will do our best to answer any questions you have as soon as possible.