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Understanding Wildlife Through Biological Systems: The MERRING Guide

When observing wildlife, identifying species can be challenging. While visual features like color and size are important, relying on them alone can lead to mistakes. A more effective, holistic approach involves understanding the biological systems that drive an animal's life and behavior.

All living organisms share seven fundamental biological systems. These systems generate characteristics that can be both Helpful (+) and Disadvantageous (-) for identification. To remember these systems, use the acronym MERRING.

M – Musculoskeletal System (Movement)

This system provides an animal’s form and its ability to move.

• Helpful (+): Movement can reveal a creature’s presence or unique identity (e.g., the hovering of a Kestrel). Tracks and unique noises also offer clues.

• Disadvantageous (-): Movement can conceal a creature if it flees or moves out of range. Some species are only seen seasonally due to migration, like Swallows.

E – Excretory System (Excretion)

The removal of waste can leave valuable traces for naturalists.

• Helpful (+): Excrement can reveal the location of a nest or roost. Some species have unique droppings, such as the "twisted" tail of fox droppings or the distinct smell of otter spraint.

• Disadvantageous (-): Some animals, like the Fulmar, use waste for defence. Handling excrement also carries a risk of disease.

R – Respiratory System (Respiration)

How an animal takes in oxygen often dictates where and when you will see it.

• Helpful (+): Water-based animals like dolphins or water beetles must surface to breathe, revealing their presence. "Cold-blooded" animals like lizards often stay still to bask in the sun for heat, making them easier to find.

• Disadvantageous (-): Cold-blooded creatures are highly susceptible to weather and may hide away during cold conditions.

R – Reproductive System (Reproduction)

Reproductive behaviour provides some of the most dramatic and diagnostic identification clues.

• Helpful (+): Look for unique behaviors like singing, breeding plumage, or specific nests. Many insects are tied to specific "food plants" for egg-laying, such as Orange Tip butterflies on Cuckooflower.

• Disadvantageous (-): Male and female appearances can differ significantly (e.g., Mallards), requiring you to learn two "identities" for one species.

I – Irritability (Sensory & Nervous System)

This system governs how an animal responds to its environment—and to you.

• Helpful (+): Sensory organs can create unique facial features, such as the horseshoe shape of certain bats. Alarm calls (like the "ticking" of a Robin) can alert you to their presence.

• Disadvantageous (-): Animals often detect observers through vibration or scent long before they are seen.

N – Nutrition (Digestive System)

What and how an animal eats is a major behavioural clue.

• Helpful (+): Foraging behaviours are often unique to a species. Finding a preferred food source—like nectar-rich flowers for butterflies—helps you locate the creature.

• Disadvantageous (-): Variations in food supplies can cause unpredictable species movement. Some species hibernate when food is scarce, like Hedgehogs and Dormice.

G – Growth (Development System)

Growth from birth to adulthood presents varied challenges and opportunities.

• Helpful (+): Different life stages provide diagnostic clues, such as shed adder skins or dragonfly larval cases.

• Disadvantageous (-): Appearance can change drastically across growth stages; young animals are often well-camouflaged for protection.

Putting it into Practice: The Holistic Identification Checklist

To identify wildlife like a professional, move beyond colour and size. Ask yourself these questions during every observation:

• Where was it? Habitat preferences 

• When was it there? Seasonal or daily activity patterns 

• What was it doing? Biological drivers (feeding, displaying, etc.) 

• What did it sound like? Territory markers or alarm calls 

• How did it differ? Specific features that separate similar species 

Summary: By understanding these biological systems—the MERRING—you can enhance your ability to identify and truly appreciate the wildlife around you.